OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A monthly survey of business leaders suggests economic conditions continue to improve for nine Midwest and Plains states.

A report released Wednesday says the Mid-America Business Conditions Index rose to 58.8 in October from 58.2 in September. The August figure was 57.5.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says national and regional indices indicate the manufacturing sector is expanding at a very healthy pace.

The survey results are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests growth in that factor. A score below that suggests decline.

The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

KIMBALL, Neb. (AP) — Officials say some schools haven’t opened and others remain in lockdown following a law enforcement chase in western Nebraska’s Kimball County.

The Kimball County Sheriff’s Office says the chase ended around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday near the Kimball and Cheyenne county line. The office says the armed suspect or suspects fled on foot and soon stole a pickup truck. No arrests have been reported.

The Kimball school district canceled Tuesday classes as a result. Potter-Dix district Superintendent Mike Williams says his school buildings did open for classes but remain in lockdown. He says parents were allowed to keep their children home. He says about 15 percent of the district’s 173 students didn’t show up, versus less than 10 percent on a normal day.

ORD, Neb. (AP) — A North Loup woman accused of killing her 4-week-old baby has taken a plea deal.

Court records say 26-year-old Jocelyn Nordin is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 19 for the death of her daughter in May last year. Nordin pleaded no contest in Valley County District Court to child abuse. In return for the plea, prosecutors dropped a related charge and agreed to join her attorneys in recommending a sentence of 60 to 70 years. The agreement is not binding on the judge, however.

Prosecutors say Nordin called 911 on May 2, 2016, and reported that her baby wasn’t breathing. The baby eventually was flown to an Omaha hospital, where she died seven days later.

Authorities say the baby had been dropped on her head twice and violently shaken.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts says he’ll look for ways to restrict state spending in next year’s session in response to a projected tax revenue shortfall.

Ricketts pledged Monday to work with lawmakers on budget “modifications” that would bring state spending into line with money that’s available. He wouldn’t rule out tapping the state’s $369 million cash reserve, commonly known as the rainy day fund.

Nebraska is on track to face another shortfall next year after the state’s economic forecasting board lowered its revenue estimates by $217 million for the current two-year budget cycle.

On Friday, Ricketts announced that he has ordered state agencies to continue several cost-cutting measures that were put in place last year.

Ricketts says the shortfall is at least partly driven by a struggling farm economy.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts is touting the work of a state agency he created to streamline government services.

Ricketts on Monday highlighted several results produced by the state’s Center of Operational Excellence. The agency is leading an effort to reduce wait times and red tape the public faces.

Officials say the Department of Labor has changed its process for processing tax credit applications, reducing a backlog within the department. The Department of Health and Human Services has reduced wait times for nurse licenses by allowing licensees to print off their own licenses.

The Department of Correctional Services has also found a faster way to package and distribute medicine at the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women in York.

Ricketts says the push for more efficiency will support private sector growth.

A whimsical adventure will unfold this week at the North Platte Community Playhouse.

The pros and cons of immortality will be explored in “Tuck Everlasting,” a collaboration between the playhouse and the music and theater departments at North Platte Community College.

“The playhouse has always had a great relationship with the college,” said Scott Carlson, playhouse executive director. “We just thought it would be neat to join forces and work together to provide something fun for the community.”

The musical, based on the children’s novel of the same name, follows 11-year-old Winnie Foster as she yearns for a life beyond her white picket fence. When she meets the Tuck family, Foster is plunged into more excitement than she ever could have imagined.

Upon learning the magic behind the Tucks’ unending youth, Foster fights to protect their secret from those who would do anything for a chance at eternal life. Ultimately, she faces an extraordinary choice: return to her life, or continue with the Tucks on their infinite journey.

“The show is about living life with quality – not quantity,” said Ritch Galvan, NPCC theater instructor. “It’s going to be fantastic. Because this is the first collaboration between the playhouse and the college, we’re really pulling out all the stops and using the resources of both places. Audiences will definitely be in for a treat.”

Performances will be Nov. 3-5 and Nov. 10-12 at 8 p.m. every day with the exception of Sundays. On Sundays, the matinee will begin at 2 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased online at northplattecommunityplayhouse.com, or in person at the box office. The box office is open fromnoon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students. Admission is free for NPCC students and employees, but vouchers are required. Those can be picked up at the North Campus and South Campus welcome centers beginning Wednesday.