SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (AP) — The Riverside Discovery Center in western Nebraska’s Scottsbluff has announced the addition of two bison calves to its herd.

The new bison go on display this weekend.

Zoo officials went to Kansas last month to pick up the female bison.

The new additions join Riverside’s older male bison, Doc.

Bison are herd animals. Zoo Director Anthony Mason says the addition of the two female calves will improve Doc’s overall well-being.

Mason says his priority is to bring more animals to the zoo.

LEXINGTON, Neb. (AP) — An Elwood native has been selected as the new county court clerk magistrate for Dawson and Gosper counties in south-central Nebraska.

Myndee Hagan began her duties Monday, replacing retired Clerk Magistrate Dianna Wheeler.

Born and raised in Elwood, Hagan and her family returned to the area about two years ago. She began working with the county court system in late 2016 as a records clerk for Gosper County Court.

County court clerk magistrates work under the direction of the presiding county court judge supervising, assigning and directing the work of county court staff. Hagan is responsible for ensuring the efficiency of the court’s administrative functions and for investigating and evaluating procedural changes within the court.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska will pay $8.8 million to contractors next year for statewide standardized testing of public school students.

The Omaha World-Herald reports that the Nebraska State Board of Education on Friday authorized Nebraska Education Commissioner Matt Blomstedt to negotiate contracts with the state’s testing providers for another year.

Blomstedt said the current contractors delivered this year’s testing relatively free of issues.

The board authorized contracting with ACT for a third year of high school testing. The $1.5 million contract includes providing the ACT college entry exam plus writing for all public school juniors and access to online ACT prep and the PreACT.

The board also authorized $6.1 million to contract with NWEA for state standardized testing for third- through eighth-grades for the 2018-19 school year.

Two men were arrested and multiple stolen firearms recovered following an incident Monday evening in Scottsbluff.

The WING (Western Nebraska Intelligence and Narcotics Group) Task Force, with assistance from the Scottsbluff Police Department and the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP), was following-up on an investigation of stolen property. Jeremy Edward Masoner, 30, was attempting to sell stolen firearms when one of the firearms discharged into the ceiling of a residence at 1308½ East Overland in Scottsbluff.

Shortly thereafter, Masoner and Taylor Dunham, 24, were arrested on multiple charges. During the investigation, officers found methamphetamine and three firearms that had previously been reported stolen in Morrill and Scotts Bluff Counties.

Both men were arrested for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a defaced firearm, and possession of a firearm during a drug violation. Dunham was also charged with carrying a concealed weapon.

Both men were lodged in Scotts Bluff County Jail.

HERSHEY, Neb. (AP) — Authorities locked down a western Nebraska school after a student produced what looked like a deadly firearm from his backpack.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office said in a release that the boy pulled out the weapon outside a school in Hershey on Wednesday after most of the students had left for the day. The school was placed on lockdown to protect the remaining students and the school staff.

The gun turned out to be an airsoft pellet gun that the sheriff’s office described as “a realistic replica of a pistol.”

Deputies soon found and apprehended the boy and several students with him. Authorities have not released their names and ages. It is not yet clear if any will face charges.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — State officials who investigate allegations of attorney misconduct have declined to pursue a grievance filed by Sen. Ernie Chambers against a former Nebraska Supreme Court justice.

Chambers had asked the Supreme Court’s Counsel for Discipline to disbar former Justice Max Kelch, who resigned Feb. 15 after a judicial ethics complaint was filed against him. Chambers on Wednesday sent a letter to Nebraska Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael Heavican, arguing that the matter should be investigated.

Judicial ethics complaints remain confidential unless a commission uncovers probable cause for discipline. Kelch stepped down before that could happen. He had been on the court for less than two years.

Counsel of Discipline Mark Weber says in a letter to Chambers he doesn’t have jurisdiction to investigate the grievance.