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

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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

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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.

Nebraska lawmakers advance ban on cellphones in prisons

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LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Prison visitors and inmates who are caught with cellphones inside a state prison could face a misdemeanor charge under a bill advanced by Nebraska lawmakers.

Lawmakers gave the measure first-round approval Wednesday as part of an omnibus prisons package.

The bill is designed to help state corrections officials, who confiscated more than 250 contraband phones last year. Nebraska corrections director Scott Frakes told a legislative committee in January that it’s a major problem in the state prisons.

A report last year from the Inspector General of the Nebraska Correctional System identified cellphones as a “significant safety concern” because inmates can use them to coordinate gang activity and communicate in secret with the outside world.

The measure advanced on a 40-0 vote.

Nebraska state budget headed to final vote in Legislature

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LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A new two-year state budget is headed to a final vote in the Nebraska Legislature.

Lawmakers advanced the mainline budget Wednesday through the second of three required votes.

The $9.3 billion budget includes additional money for expanding Medicaid, K-12 schools, construction of new prison space and property tax credits.

The vote came one day after the budget bill stalled amid opposition from some conservative lawmakers who mounted a filibuster. The bill was placed back on Wednesday’s agenda and advanced on a 40-7 vote.

Nebraska man ID’d as victim of fatal shooting in New Mexico

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MAGDALENA, N.M. (AP) — Authorities have released the name of a Nebraska man who was killed in New Mexico earlier this week.

New Mexico State Police say the victim was 30-year-old Stuart Gordon of Lincoln.

His name was released Wednesday after his relatives were notified of his death.

State Police say 39-year-old Jo Hill is jailed without bond on suspicion of an open count of murder.

The Magdalena Marshals Office was dispatched Monday afternoon to the High Country Lodge about a gunshot victim.

Gordon was pronounced dead at the scene and State Police was brought in to investigate.

They say Hill and Gordon got into a physical altercation in the parking lot of the lodge.

Hill then reportedly shot the victim.

It was unclear Wednesday if Hill has a lawyer yet.

Former Nebraska trooper gets probation for drug violations

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OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A former Nebraska State Patrol investigator has been sentenced to two years’ probation for possession of drugs.

The federal prosecutor’s office for Nebraska said in a news release today that 46-year-old Christopher Kober was sentenced Wednesday after pleading guilty to a single count in a deal with prosecutors. As part of the deal, Kober must surrender his law enforcement certification, forego any appeal of his firing from the Nebraska State Patrol and not seek future employment in law enforcement.

Investigators say Kober was living in Bellevue when officers raided his home in March 2017, finding nearly 2,000 pills that included various opioids that Kober took from prescription medication collection events and overdose investigations from January 2016 until his arrest.

Kober was fired following an internal patrol investigation.

Fire crews respond to report of smoke at NPHS

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North Platte Fire and Rescue crews responded to North Platte High School on Wednesday afternoon after smoke was reported in a hallway.

According to NPHS Principal Scott Siegel, at around 1:26 p.m., smoke was reported in the hallway that connects the Commons area to the Athletics Halls.

The smoke did not trigger the fire alarms at the school, but still prompted administrators to contact the North Platte Fire Department.

Firefighters arrived and determined that there was no danger to students or staff, and determined that the smoke was caused by an electric wire or electric motor.

Students and staff were placed “On Hold” and were not allowed to leave classrooms or the gym, while fire personnel investigated to identify any further risks.

The hold was lifted at around 1:52 p.m.

Nebraska’s tax collections beat expectations in April

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LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A new report says Nebraska state government collected far more in taxes than expected last month.The Department of Revenue said Wednesday that net tax collection in April totaled $660 million, which is 15.1% above the certified forecast of $573 million.

The department says net sales and use, individual income, corporate income and miscellaneous taxes were all higher than expected.

Nebraska has collected about $3.93 billion in the current fiscal year, which ends June 30. That’s 2.6% above the state’s certified forecast.

The forecasts are set by the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board. State officials had predicted April’s tax collections would be higher because of many taxpayers filing their income tax returns.

Business incentive bill draws criticism from some lawmakers

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LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A bill that would replace Nebraska’s largest tax incentive for businesses is drawing criticism from some lawmakers, but the sponsor says he has enough support to bring it to a vote.

Lawmakers passed over the measure without voting on it Wednesday after three hours of debate, but Sen. Mark Kolterman, of Seward, says he expects it back on the agenda next week.

The proposed “ImagiNE Nebraska Act” would replace the Nebraska Advantage Act, a state tax incentive program that’s set to expire in 2020. Kolterman says the new proposal offers greater accountability than the current program and will do a better job of ensuring that tax credits go to companies that offer high-wage jobs.

Some senators say the measure will crowd out money that should go toward lowering property taxes.

Buffalo Bill Rodeo Reports

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