LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s preliminary March unemployment rate of 2.8 percent was unchanged from the February figure, according to a report released Friday from the state Labor Department.

The rate was down two-tenths of a point from the 3 percent of March 2017, the department said, and remained well below the U.S. figure — unchanged at 4.1 percent.

“The number of employed workers in the labor force climbed by nearly 1,800 from February to March, representing an over-the-year increase of nearly 5,800,” state Labor Commissioner John Albin said.

Nebraska’s nonfarm employment hit 1,016,336 last month, up 5,315 over the year and up 9,115 over the month. Private industries with the most growth year over year were manufacturing, up 3,180; professional and business services, up 1,470; and leisure and hospitality, up 1,393.

The preliminary Omaha-area rate dropped to 3 percent from 3.1 percent in February. That’s down two-tenths of a point from March 2017. Lincoln’s preliminary rate remained unchanged at 2.6 percent last month and matched the year-ago figure. Grand Island’s preliminary rate dropped to 3 percent in March from 3.2 percent in February and was down three-tenths of a point from March 2017.

The unemployment rates for Grand Island, Lincoln and Omaha have not been seasonally adjusted, so they cannot be directly compared with the state unemployment rate.

Here are preliminary area labor market unemployment rates for March, followed by the February rates:

— Beatrice: 3.3, 3.5

— Columbus: 2.7, 2.7

— Fremont: 2.9, 2.9

— Hastings: 3.0, 2.9

— Kearney: 2.3, 2.2

— Lexington: 3.0, 3.1

— Norfolk: 2.8, 2.8

— North Platte: 3.0, 3.2

— Red Willow: 2.3, 2.4

— Scottsbluff: 3.2, 3.2

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The University of Nebraska-Lincoln chancellor’s proposed budget cuts include eliminating at least 18 positions, a degree program and a research center for the design and evaluation of educational practices in the nation’s schools.

Chancellor Ronnie Green’s plan went Wednesday to the Academic Planning Committee, and it will be reviewed at a public hearing scheduled for May 2.

Green said Thursday afternoon that the proposed cuts would have “a significant impact upon the university’s operations and our students, faculty and staff.”

“Even though they are more manageable than what we would have faced, they still represent lost opportunities for the state’s premier land-grant research institution,” he said.

The proposals would amount to $2.9 million less state support in the 2018-19 school year than the state’s largest university campus received for the 2017-18 year — a reduction of about 1 percent.

Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts had sought 4 percent cuts for the 2018-19 school year for the NU and state college systems, but the Legislature decided instead on the 1 percent in reductions. The governor and legislators were galvanized by state revenue streams that fell short of projections.

All but three of the 18 positions in jeopardy are currently vacant, university spokeswoman Leslie Reed said Friday. Those three include two people who plan to retire.

The university employs around 6,500 people, including nearly 1,900 full-time teachers, Reed said, and has been filling only “our most critical positions” since a hiring freeze was imposed in January 2017.

Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) troopers will be weeding out drugged drivers in a special enforcement operation planned for this Friday, April 20.

The operation will include troopers and dispatchers from Troop A – Omaha and Troop H – Lincoln working overtime to reduce the potential for crashes related to marijuana impairment.

“Drugged driving is extremely dangerous,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “Our troopers have done tremendous work to pull marijuana and other drugs off the street this year. This operation is another step to keep Nebraska’s roads safe.”

So far in 2018, NSP troopers have seized more than 2,000 pounds of marijuana during traffic stops. That figure outpaces the amount seized in the each of the last several years.

Friday’s drugged driving operation is made possible thanks in part to a grant for $4,200 from the Nebraska Department of Transportation – Highway Safety Office (NDOT-HSO).

A nine-year-old North Platte girl suffered minor injuries when she was struck by a vehicle while riding her bicycle on Wednesday morning.

According to North Platte police, the girl was riding her bicycle eastbound on B Street.  Investigator John Deal says the girl was riding on the sidewalk and when she crossed the intersection of B and Silber Streets, she collided with a vehicle driven by Amanda Nekuda that was turning to go north on Silber.

Deal says the girl was transported to Great Plains Health.  The extent of her injuries is unknown, but Deal says they weren’t reported as being serious.

No citations were issued.

Today, Governor Pete Ricketts announced that all U.S. and Nebraska flags are to be flown at half-staff in honor of former First Lady Barbara Bush, who passed away at the age of 92.

Earlier, Governor Ricketts issued a statement following Barbara Bush’s passing:

“With First Lady Barbara Bush’s passing, America has lost an icon who will be remembered for her grace, her dignity, and her work championing literacy.  She leaves behind a remarkable legacy in her family and their public service.  Susanne and I send our prayers to the entire Bush family as they celebrate her life and grieve her passing.”

Flags will be flown at half-staff until sunset on her day of interment.