OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A federal judge has refused to dismiss a lawsuit challenging Nebraska’s attempt to regulate tobacco sales by two Winnebago Tribe subsidiaries.

HCI Distribution and Rock River Manufacturing said in their April lawsuit that tribal commercial activities are protected under federal law and that Nebraska has no regulatory authority over the tribe’s cigarette operations.

The Sioux City Journal reports that U.S. District Judge John Gerrard said in his ruling Wednesday that more evidence will be needed to settle issues raised in the case, so he is letting the case proceed. The state had sought the dismissal.

The Nebraska Department of Revenue issued tax assessments against several reservation-based cigarette retailers in 2014, saying they made sales subject to state cigarette tax laws.

CAMBRIDGE, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say four teenagers are facing charges that they planned to attack a high school in south-central Nebraska.

The Furnas County attorney charged two 18-year-olds and two 17-year-olds with felony terroristic threats related to a plan to attack Cambridge High School on Nov. 30.

Court records allege the students had been discussing an attack for months. When one student transferred to a different school, they tried to recruit another student.

One student told police he thought the plan was a joke but wasn’t sure if the others felt that way.

Cambridge Public Schools Superintendent Greg Shepard told NTV the school received a call from a parent about a potential threat, prompting it to contact the sheriff’s office and state patrol.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s labor shortage was one of the main concerns raised at town hall events held by a business group seeking public input on a statewide economic development plan.

The Omaha World-Herald reports that Blueprint Nebraska began its road show this week in Omaha, Lincoln and Norfolk.

Business and civic leaders focused on the region’s low unemployment rate and the difficulty of finding workers.

David Brown is the president of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce. He says municipalities need to have competitive career opportunities, as well as amenities and services to attract employees and their families.

Participants discussed how to improve affordable housing, child care and the education system. Attendees also raised concerns about the need for public transportation to lure top talent who desire an urban experience.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The University of Nebraska has created a new teaching academy program to recruit, retain and develop a highly qualified and more diverse teaching workforce needed to meet the state’s rising school enrollment.

A gift from the William and Ruth Scott Family Foundation is underwriting the Teachers Scholars Academy, providing four-year scholarships that will cover full tuition plus $8,000 annually for other educational costs for 104 students. Forty scholarships will be at the system’s Kearney and Lincoln campuses and 24 will be at the Omaha campus.

“The Teachers Scholars Academy is about Nebraska’s future,” University of Nebraska President Hank Bounds said.

The number of college students in Nebraska majoring in education has fallen to 3,600 from nearly 5,400 just nine years ago, the university said in a news release Monday. At the same time, enrollment in Nebraska’s schools has risen to more than 361,000 from 334,000.

The academy is open to incoming first-year students who have chosen early education, elementary or secondary education majors in an array of programs.

“Our program aim is to prepare the teachers who will be the backbone of school transformation, reflective thinkers who will continue to grow and develop beyond their degree,” said Beth Doll, interim dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences at the Lincoln campus.

Academy students will have access to learning communities and peer networking opportunities to strengthen retention and maximize their professional development.

“It’s going to take grit — this program is going to be more challenging than ordinary teacher education,” said Guy Trainin, who will run the program in Lincoln. “Nevertheless, academy students will live and study in a supportive community with a diverse, dynamic and vibrant group of peers.”

The first academy groups will begin classes next fall. The University of Nebraska Foundation plans to raise money for future academy classes.

The Dodge City, Kansas police department is seeking the public’s help in locating a man wanted on warrants for multiple violent felonies, including rape and sodomy.

The following post on their Facebook page give the details:

The Department of Correctional Services announced that 74-year-old Roger Schmidt died minutes before 2 a.m. Wednesday.

Schmidt was serving a 38- to 45-year sentence for first-degree sexual assault of a child. His sentence began on May 18, 2007.

The cause of death has not been determined. Department officials say Schmidt was under treatment for long-term medical conditions.

A grand jury will investigate the death, as happens anytime an inmate dies in the department’s custody.

OVERTON, Neb. (AP) — A February sentencing has been scheduled for one of three family members charged with animal cruelty following the deaths of dozens of cattle on their Nebraska farm.

Dawson County District Court records say 60-year-old Eugene Wempen Sr., of Overton, pleaded no contest to a lone count of animal abandonment or cruelty resulting in death. Prosecutors dropped seven other counts in return. His sentencing is set for Feb. 11.

His 60-year-old wife, Diane Wempen, and their 34-year-old son, Eugene Wempen Jr., have pleaded not guilty and are awaiting trial set to begin March 12 in Lexington.

Deputies reported finding at least 65 carcasses on the Wempen property near Overton, about 150 miles (240 kilometers) west of Lincoln. About 75 live cattle, along with llamas, donkeys, miniature ponies, horses, goats and sheep, were relocated.