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Authorities say body of missing Atkinson motorcyclist found

ATKINSON, Neb. (AP) — Authorities have found the body of a missing Atkinson man at the site of a motorcycle crash.

Officials say the crash site was discovered Friday about 6 miles (10 kilometers) south of Atkinson by a person moving cattle. Authorities identified the body as that of 69-year-old Warren Wondercheck, who’d been reported missing Aug. 23.

Authorities say the motorcycle had been northbound on Nebraska Highway 11 when it ran off the roadway, went airborne and struck a tree.

An autopsy has been ordered.

NP man accused of assaulting ex-girlfriend with unopened can of beer

Marcos Escarsega

A North Platte man is facing a felony domestic assault charge after he allegedly assaulted his ex-girlfriend.

On September 30, at around 5:37 p.m., officers responded to the 500 block of North Bicentennial on the report of an assault that had taken place earlier.

Officers met with a 49-year-old female who alleged that she had been assaulted by her ex-boyfriend, 33-year-old Marcos Escarsega.

According to Investigator John Deal, the female told officers that she had been in a vehicle with Escarsega when they became involved in an argument.

She told police that Escarsega had struck her in the face with his fist, then struck her in the face with an unopened can of beer.

Deal says the woman had a tooth knocked out and visible injuries to her face.

Officers located Escarsega at a residence in the 600 Block of South Sioux Meadow Lane and placed him under arrest.

He was jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center and charged with felony 1st-degree domestic assault.

Keith LaVern Fischer

KODAK Digital Still Camera

Keith LaVern Fischer, 76, of Hershey passed away September 30, 2017 at Great Plains Health.  Keith was born October 20, 1940 in Paxton, NE to Herman J. and Viola Bell (Jennings) Fischer.  He grew up and attended school in Paxton, and worked in the farming and ranching community around Paxton.  On March 10, 1961 he married Bertha M. Ross in Hershey.  Keith worked on various farms in Curtis, Lexington, Harshfield Ranch at Sutherland, Pawnee Springs Ranch at Maxwell, Zutavern Ranch at Dunning, Whitewater Ranch at Arthur, and F & W Farms at Hershey.  The family moved to Hershey in 2000 with Keith retiring in 2006.

Keith especially enjoyed his family and friends, attending many sporting events of his grandkids.  His hobbies included but not limited to hunting and fishing, and horses were always an important part of his life.  After retirement his special pets were his donkeys and dogs, and he and Bertha looked forward to vacationing in Phoenix, AZ.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Bertha of Hershey; children, Patricia (Raymond) Napoleon of Phoenix, AZ, Darrell (Rose Ann) Fischer of Keystone, Wade (Dennelle) Fischer of Harrison, and Mickey (Marti) Fischer of Cozad; 15 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; sister, Ethel Mae Valla of Chappell; brother, Harold LeRoy Fischer of North Platte; aunt, Gayle Wid of Paxton; uncle, Robert (Phyllis) Wid of Axtell; sister-in-law, Leona Hoatson of North Platte; special friends, Chubby and Sharon Dailey; and numerous nieces, nephews and many friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers, Ralph Dwain, and Terry Lee; and a sister, Mary Ann Fischer.

Memorials may be made to the Hershey Fire Department or to the donor’s choice.  Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.

Services will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, October 5, 2017 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home with David Knight officiating. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Wednesday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements. Family will be receiving friends and family 5:00 p.m. – 7:00p.m. Wednesday.

Flags in Nebraska to be flown at half staff for Vegas shooting victims

LINCOLN – Today, Governor Pete Ricketts, in accordance with a proclamation from President Donald J. Trump, announced that all U.S. and Nebraska flags are to be flown at half-staff in honor of the victims of the act of violence in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“Please join Susanne and I in keeping the victims and families of the horrifying tragedy in Las Vegas in our thoughts and prayers,” said Governor Ricketts.

Las Vegas was terrorized by a shooter who opened fire on a country music festival late Sunday night, killing at least 50 people and injuring at least 400 others according to news reports.

Flags will be flown at half-staff until sunset on October 6, 2017.  The President’s proclamation can be found here.

Police release name of man killed by hit-and-run driver in Omaha

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Authorities have released the name of a man who was fatally injured by a hit-and-run driver in central Omaha.

The accident occurred around 4:50 a.m. Monday. Officers dispatched to the scene found the injured man near the curb in the northbound lanes of 72nd Street.

Police say the man was taken to an Omaha hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police identified him as 34-year-old Anh Tuan Phan, who lived in Omaha.

No arrests have been reported.

Gunman opens fire on Jason Aldean concert in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Latest on the shooting in Las Vegas (all times local):

9:10 a.m.

Authorities say a woman who was a companion of the Las Vegas shooter is considered a person of interest and is out of the country.

Sheriff Joe Lombardo didn’t release further details Monday about the woman but said authorities would try to speak with her when she got back to the United States.

Authorities have yet to identify a motive for the shooting that killed 58 people at an outdoor country music concert but say they believe 64-year-old Stephen Craig Paddock acted alone.

He killed himself after carrying out the deadliest mas shooting in U.S. history.

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9 a.m.

Authorities in Nevada praised the response to a mass shooting at a Las Vegas concert by police and health care workers.

Gov. Brian Sandoval said at a news conference Monday that he visited some of the victims in the hospital and that, “We’re angry, we’re grieving, we’re confused, people are hurting.”

Sandoval called the shooting that killed 58 people and injured more than 500 others Sunday night a cowardly, despicable act.

He and other local officials praised first responders, saying they saved scores of lives.

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8:50 a.m.

The FBI says the shooter who killed 58 people and injured more than 500 others at a Las Vegas concert had no connection to an international terrorist group.

The announcement from Special Agent in Charge Aaron Rouse at a news conference Monday comes after the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack without providing evidence.

The extremist group claimed that the shooter was “a soldier” who had converted to Islam months ago. It has made exaggerated or false claims in the past.

Authorities have yet to identify a motive for the shooting but say they believe 64-year-old Stephen Craig Paddock acted alone. He killed himself after the shooting.

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8:44 a.m.

Sheriff Joe Lombardo says the death toll from the Las Vegas shooting has risen to 58, with 515 people injured. A gunman opened fire on a Las Vegas country music festival Sunday night.

The gunman opened fire from inside the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino.

Authorities say 64-year-old Stephen Craig Paddock killed himself after the shooting. Police have yet to determine a motive.

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11:02 a.m.

President Donald Trump says he will travel to Las Vegas on Wednesday.

He spoke Monday morning, hours after the shooting at a country music festival late Sunday killed at least 50 people and wounded more than 400. It is the worst mass shooting in American history.

Trump said the nation must stay unified. He said that although “feel such great anger at the senseless murder of our fellow citizens, it is our love that binds us today and always will.”

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10: 54 a.m.

President Donald Trump is calling the mass shooting attack in Las Vegas “an act of pure evil.”

Trump says the nation is joined together today in sadness, shock and grief.

Trump is addressing the attack on a country music festival Sunday night that left at least 50 people dead and more than 400 injured.

Trump tweeted his “warmest condolences and sympathies” earlier Monday morning.

The gunman opened fire from inside the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino.

Authorities say 64-year-old Stephen Craig Paddock killed himself after the shooting. Police have yet to determine a motive.

___

7:11 a.m.

The White House says President Donald Trump will speak at 10:30 a.m. Eastern time about the mass shooting in Las Vegas.

Trump’s remarks were added to his schedule Monday morning. He tweeted his “warmest condolences and sympathies” earlier in the morning.

The president was briefed on the shooting at a country music concert, which left at least 50 people dead and more than 400 injured Sunday night.

The gunman opened fire from inside the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino.

Authorities say 64-year-old Stephen Craig Paddock killed himself after the shooting. Police have not yet determined a motive.

___

6:55 a.m.

Las Vegas authorities are calling for blood donations and setting up a hotline to report missing people in the wake of a mass shooting that injured more than 400 people and killed 50 at a country music concert Sunday night.

Las Vegas police said Monday that it will take time to identify all of the injured and dead in what was the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.

The number to report missing people is (866) 535-5654. Police have also opened a “family reunification center” for people to find loved ones at 400 S. Martin L. King Blvd., in Building B.

Las Vegas police say anyone who wants to help can give blood at one of two locations in Las Vegas and nearby Henderson. A blood drive is also being planned.

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6:30 a.m.

The brother of the man who killed at least 50 people at an outdoor music festival on the Las Vegas Strip says he’s “completely dumbfounded” by the shooting, which is the deadliest in modern U.S. history.

In a brief interview with the Orlando Sentinel, Eric Paddock says he can’t understand what happened. He also said he’s made a statement to police.

Country music star Jason Aldean was performing Sunday night at the end of the three-day Route 91 Harvest Festival when the gunman opened fire from inside the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino.

Authorities say 64-year-old Stephen Craig Paddock killed himself after the shooting. Police have not yet determined a motive.

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6:30 a.m.

Pope Francis is calling the Las Vegas shooting a “senseless tragedy” and is assuring victims of his prayers.

The Vatican secretary of state sent a telegram of condolences Monday to the bishop of Las Vegas, saying the pope was “deeply saddened” to learn of the shooting.

The telegram said Francis praised the efforts of police and emergency crews.

In the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, a gunman opened fire on an outdoor concert, killing at least 50 people and injuring more than 400 others.

___

6:07 a.m.

Las Vegas police say more than 400 people were hospitalized in a mass shooting at a country music concert.

Police said Monday morning that the shooter, 64-year-old Stephen Craig Paddock was found dead in a hotel room with as many as 10 firearms.

Authorities say that 406 people were taken to hospitals and 50 of those are dead, including an off-duty Las Vegas police officer. His name was not immediately released.

Clark County Sheriff Joseph Lombardo says Paddock first checked into the Mandalay Bay casino-hotel on Sept. 28 and was found dead inside a hotel room.

Two on-duty officers were also hurt. One of those has been upgraded from critical to stable condition.

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5:55 a.m.

The U.S. Homeland Security Department says there is no “specific credible threat” involving other public venues in the U.S. after the Las Vegas shooting that killed at least 50 people.

The gunman, identified by police as Stephen Paddock died at the scene. Police said he fired from the 32nd floor of a Las Vegas Strip casino onto an outdoor country music festival Sunday night. It was the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.

In Washington, A Homeland Security spokesman, David Lapan, tweeted Monday the department has “no information to indicate a specific credible threat involving other public venues in the country.”

Police have not yet determined a motive in the shootings.

5:45 a.m.

Heavily armed police are searching the Nevada retirement-community home of a man authorities say killed more than 50 people when he opened fire at a country-music concert in Las Vegas.

Mesquite Police Chief Troy Tanner says police surrounded and entered the single-family home where 64-year-old Stephen Paddock lived with 62-year-old Marilou Danley early Monday morning.

He says Danley was not at the house and police saw “no movement” inside before serving a search warrant at the one-story, three-bedroom home in the Sun City Mesquite retirement community, about 80 miles north of Las Vegas.

Tanner says detectives from Las Vegas and North Las Vegas were at the scene in the resort community of Mesquite, located near the Arizona state line.

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5:20 a.m.

The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department says two of its off-duty members were shot during the attack at a Las Vegas concert.

Authorities say both were taken to the hospital, where one remains in critical condition and the other was in stable condition.

Officials did not immediately release their names.

Clark County Sheriff Joseph Lombardo says at least 50 people were killed and more than 200 people were wounded when a gunman opened fire at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival on the Strip.

Authorities have identified the suspected gunman as 64-year-old Stephen Paddock. Paddock died after police confronted him Sunday on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay casino-hotel tower on the Las Vegas Strip.

___

5:15 a.m.

Las Vegas police say they’ve determined that a woman they were seeking is no longer considered a “person of interest” in the deadly mass shooting at a country music festival.

Police say they don’t believe 62-year-old Marilou Danley was involved in the Sunday night shooting that killed at least 50 people and wounded more than 200.

Police initially said they were seeking the woman who may have been the roommate of the shooter.

The gunman has been identified as 64-year-old Stephen Paddock.

Paddock died after police confronted him Sunday on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay casino-hotel tower on the Las Vegas Strip.

___

4:40 a.m.

Authorities say the on-duty police officer who was wounded at the deadly Las Vegas concert attack is out of surgery and in stable condition.

The unnamed officer was one of two on-duty Las Vegas police officers wounded Sunday night. The other sustained minor injuries.

Clark County Sheriff Joseph Lombardo says at least 50 people — including two off-duty officers — were killed and more than 200 people were wounded at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival on the Strip.

Authorities have identified the suspected gunman as 64-year-old Stephen Paddock.

___

4:30 a.m.

President Donald Trump is extending condolences to the victims of the shooting in Las Vegas and their families.

In a tweet Monday, Trump offered “My warmest condolences and sympathies to the victims and families of the terrible Las Vegas shooting. God bless you!”

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Trump was “briefed on the horrific tragedy in Las Vegas.”

Sanders said that “we are monitoring the situation closely.”

A gunman’s attack on the Sunday night country music concert killed at least 50 people and wounded more than 200.

___

3:30 a.m.

A Nevada sheriff says the death toll has climbed to 50 in the attack on a Las Vegas concert Sunday, making it the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.

Clark County Sheriff Joseph Lombardo says more than 200 people were wounded at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival on the Strip.

Authorities have identified the suspected gunman as Nevada resident Stephen Paddock.

Lombardo says officers confronted Paddock on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino across the street from the concert. Paddock is dead.

Authorities say they have located 62-year-old Marilou Danley, who was wanted as a person of interest in this incident.

The dead gunman is also believed to have checked in as a hotel guest.

___

2 a.m.

A Nevada sheriff says one on-duty officer is in critical condition and another was wounded in the Las Vegas concert shooting that left more than 20 people dead.

Clark County Sheriff Joseph Lombardo says two off-duty officers have died.

Several officers from California were attending the outdoor Route 91 Harvest Music Festival on Sunday when a gunman opened fire. A Bakersfield Police officer was shot and taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Authorities have not released any of their identities.

More than 100 people were injured.

Lombardo says the suspect is dead.

The sheriff says they believe this was a “lone wolf” attack but said they are looking for a roommate of the dead suspect as a person of interest.

___

1:55 a.m.

Country music star Jason Aldean took to social media to say he and his crew are safe after a gunman killed more than 20 people at an outdoor concert Sunday.

Aldean was in the middle of his performance when the bullets rained down on the crowd. He posted on Instagram hours later, calling the shooting “beyond horrific.”

Las Vegas authorities say more than 100 people are wounded in the attack.

Clark County’s sheriff says officers confronted the suspect on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino across the street from the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival. Authorities say the man is dead. They did not release the suspect’s name but said he is a local resident.

___

1:40 a.m.

Las Vegas authorities say more than 20 people are dead and 100 people are wounded after a man opened fire on an outdoor concert late Sunday.

Clark County Sheriff Joseph Lombardo says officers confronted the suspect on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino across the street from the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival. Authorities say the man is dead. They did not release the suspect’s name but said he is a local resident.

Several officers from the Bakersfield Police Department were attending the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival on Sunday when a gunman opened fire. One was shot and taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Authorities did not release his name.

Lombardo said they believe this was a “lone wolf” attack but said they are looking for a roommate of the dead suspect as a person of interest

___

1:13 a.m.

A Southern California police department says one of its off-duty officers was shot during the attack on a Las Vegas concert.

Several officers from the Bakersfield Police Department were attending the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival on Sunday when a gunman opened fire. One was shot and taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Authorities did not release his name.

Two people are dead and dozens wounded after someone opened fire on an outdoor country music festival across the street from the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino.

Las Vegas police say one suspect is ‘down’ but did not give any other details.

___

1 a.m.

Some flights have resumed at the Las Vegas airport after all planes were temporarily grounded due to the deadly shooting on the Strip.

McCarran International Airport says limited flight activity has resumed early Monday.

Two people are dead and dozens wounded after someone opened fire late Sunday on an outdoor country music festival.

Las Vegas police say one suspect is ‘down’ but did not give any other details.

University Medical Center spokeswoman Danita Cohen said 26 people were admitted to the hospital after the incident.

___

12:50 a.m.

Las Vegas police say one suspect is ‘down’ after a deadly shooting Sunday at an outdoor concert and authorities don’t believe there are any more shooters.

Two people are dead and dozens more wounded after a gunman opened fire during Jason Aldean’sperformance at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival.

Authorities shut down part of the Las Vegas Strip and Interstate 15.

McCarran International Airport officials say all flights in and out have been temporarily halted.

___

12:30 a.m.

All planes have been grounded at the Las Vegas airport after the deadly shooting at an outdoor concert on the Strip.

McCarran International Airport says all flights in and out have been temporarily halted in response to the shooting.

Two people are dead and dozens wounded after someone opened fire late Sunday on a music festival.

Las Vegas police say one suspect is ‘down’ but did not give any other details.

University Medical Center spokeswoman Danita Cohen said 26 people were admitted to the hospital after the incident.

___

12:15 a.m.

A concert-goer says he heard what sounded like fireworks while he was watching Jason Aldean’sperformance at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival Sunday night.

Thirty-six-year-old Kodiak Yazzie said the music stopped temporarily and started up again before another round of pops sent the performers ducking for cover and fleeing the stage.

As the 40,000 fans in the crowd began to flee, Yazzie took cover and said he saw flashes of light coming from the Mandalay Bay hotel tower high above.

The bursts of pops would start and stop for more than five minutes. He says he saw dozens of ambulances as he ran for safety. He later got a Lyft driver to take him home to suburban Henderson.

Las Vegas police say one suspect is ‘down.’

A hospital spokeswoman says two people are dead and dozens wounded.

___

12:05 a.m.

Las Vegas police say one suspect is ‘down’ after shooting at country music festival that has left two people dead and dozens wounded.

University Medical Center spokeswoman Danita Cohen said 26 people were admitted to the hospital.

Dozens of patrol vehicles descended on the Strip after authorities received reports of an active shooter near the Route 91 Harvest Festival. Some officers took cover behind their vehicles while others carrying assault rifles ran into the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino.

Authorities shut down part of the Las Vegas Strip and Interstate 15.

Some flights destined for the McCarran International Airport were diverted due to incident.

___

11:55 p.m.

A Las Vegas hospital says at least two people are dead and dozens wounded after a shooting late Sunday at a music festival on the Las Vegas Strip.

University Medical Center spokeswoman Danita Cohen said 26 people were admitted to the hospital. She says, of those, at least two have died, 12 are in critical condition and the rest are being evaluated.

Dozens of patrol vehicles descended on the Strip after authorities received reports of an active shooter near the Route 91 Harvest Festival.

Authorities shut down part of the Las Vegas Strip and Interstate 15.

___

11:45 p.m.

Concert-goers reported seeing muzzle flashes from the upper floors of the Mandalay Bay hotel-casino across Las Vegas Boulevard from the Route 91 Harvest country music festival and the sound of what they described as automatic gun fire.

Witnesses say they saw multiple victims Sunday night as they fled the gunfire raining down on the concert venue.

Some later huddled in the basement of the nearby Tropicana hotel-casino.

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11 p.m.

Multiple victims were being transported to hospitals after a shooting late Sunday at a music festival on the Las Vegas Strip.

Dozens of patrol vehicles descended on the Strip after authorities received reports of an active shooter near the Route 91 Harvest Festival.

Some officers took cover behind their vehicles while others carrying assault rifles ran into the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino.

University Medical Center spokeswoman Danita Cohen said the Las Vegas hospital is taking in “several” people with gunshot wounds. She didn’t have any other immediate information.

Authorities shut down part of the Las Vegas Strip and Interstate 15.

Some flights destined for the McCarran International Airport were diverted due to incident.

Witnesses say country singer Jason Aldean was playing near the end of the concert when gunfire rang out.

No further information was immediately known.

‘It’ edges out Tom Cruise’s ‘American Made’ to take No. 1

LOS ANGELES (AP) — After dipping to No. 2 last weekend, “It” has regained control of the North American box office in its fourth weekend in theaters. The movie beat out the new Tom Cruise film “American Made.”

Studio estimates on Sunday say the Stephen King adaptation took the top spot at the box office with $17.3 million.

“It” edged out last weekend’s box office champ, “Kingsman: The Golden Circle” and newcomer “American Made,” which essentially tied for second with $17 million apiece.

While “American Made” is earning Cruise strong praise for his portrayal of the real life TWA pilot turned drug smuggler and CIA operative, it’s also a somewhat lukewarm debut for the star.

The “Flatliners” remake also opened this weekend to little fanfare and tiny earnings with $6.7 million.

Stagnant farm economy slows growth in Iowa, Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A stagnant farm economy that has slowed Nebraska and Iowa’s income growth to the lowest levels in the nation is also contributing to state budget problems that could linger through next year, officials said.

Key lawmakers from both states said they’re concerned the agricultural downturn will persist, ripping through other sectors and putting additional strain on their budgets.

Declining farm income was the leading cause of the slowdown in many states, including Iowa and Nebraska, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The sluggish growth also hurt agricultural manufacturing, lending, land-rental income and other industries tied to farming, officials said.

“Our farmers have been hurting, and they’ve been hurting for some time now,” said Nebraska State Tax Commissioner Tony Fulton. “The fact of the matter is it’s a big deal in Nebraska.”

Nebraska and Iowa posted the slowest income growth in the second quarter of 2017, according to the bureau report released last week. Incomes increased by just 0.1 percent in both states, compared to a 0.7 percent average nationally.

Farm incomes have fallen because of a glut of corn and soybeans that lowered commodity prices. Agriculture is the largest industry in both states.

Iowa showed strength in other areas of its economy, such as finance, insurance and non-durable manufacturing, but those gains were offset by the farm slowdown, said John Fuller, a spokesman for the Iowa Department of Revenue.

The nonpartisan Iowa Legislative Services Agency reported this summer that incoming revenue for the last budget year fell about $100 million short of projections, but cautioned that the number could fluctuate. Officials with Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds later announced the shortfall was closer to $14.6 million.

In Nebraska, lawmakers relied on a combination of cuts, spending delays and emergency funds to close what had been a projected $900 million budget shortfall. Senators cautioned, however, that the budget problems could persist into future years partly because of the farm economy and partly because of a series of tax cuts and exemptions for businesses approved in recent years.

Nebraska’s individual income and sales taxes are the state’s two largest revenue sources, and sluggish growth in either slows the flow of tax collections.

Many farmers padded their savings during the boom years to protect themselves, but aren’t generating as much income that can be taxed, said Sen. John Stinner, the Republican chairman of the Nebraska Legislature’s Appropriations Committee.

“Obviously, our revenue is going to dictate what (bills) we prioritize,” said Stinner, of Gering.The decline follows several boom years with high commodity prices and rising farm incomes, triggering a surge in production as more farmers scrambled to take advantage. High oil prices at the time also increased demand for ethanol, creating an even greater global desire for corn, said Dan Corrin, an economist for the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

“You had farmers planting more and more corn and more and more soybeans, and the supply became saturated,” Corrin said. “Demand from other countries began to level off.”

Both states may have to endure the situation for the next few years.

“I don’t see any reason to expect a rapid recovery,” said Iowa State University economist Alejandro Plastina, who specializes in agricultural economics. “There’s strong demand for corn and soybeans, but worldwide there’s so just so much in stock that it keeps prices subdued.”

Plastina said Iowa’s revenue shortfall was driven by the agriculture and its ripple effect on other businesses such as seed and machinery dealers and local banks.

Agriculture accounts for less than 10 percent of Iowa’s overall economy, but when related industries such as equipment manufacturing and ag lending are included, it makes up nearly half of the state’s economy, Plastina said.

Iowa state Sen. Charles Schneider, a West Des Moines Republican, said the slowdown in his state demonstrates the need to reduce spending. Democratic lawmakers said have corporate tax credits are partially to blame for the budget problems.

“One of the lessons I hope we’ve learned is it’s important to manage the rate at which government spending increases,” Schneider said.

Fulton said Nebraska has seen sluggish revenue from capital gains as well, suggesting that some investors may be waiting to see what will happen with the Trump administration’s proposed tax package. “There’s a theory out there that folks are hanging onto their gains until they know how they’re going to get taxed,” he said.

Lincoln residents unhappy with long grass, park maintenance

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Satisfaction with park maintenance continues to decrease in surveys of Lincoln residents, with comments indicating people are unhappy specifically with grass mowing and trimming.

Fescue is allowed to grow up to 20 inches in long-grass areas, and is mowed just two to four times a year. Park staff mow more traditional park areas about every two weeks.

Parks and Recreation Department Director Lynn Johnson says the agency continues to receive complaints about long-grass areas, which cover more than 700 acres in more than 50 city parks.

Councilwoman Leirion Gaylor Baird says she gets complaints primarily about weeds and volunteer trees in the long-grass areas, not about the areas themselves.

Johnson says setting aside long-grass areas is both an environmental and a budget issue.

Young hunters can compete in state skills contest

LOUISVILLE, Neb. (AP) — Young hunters who have completed a hunter education course are invited to compete for prizes in a state contest.

The Nebraska Youth Hunter Education Challenge will be held at Platte River State Park near Louisville on Oct. 15. Participants must be over 11.

The simulated hunting competition includes six different events, including shotgun, muzzleloading and 3-D archery.

The setup is designed to reinforce what young hunters learned in their basic education courses.

Participants can register online . The event is sponsored by the National Rifle Association.

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