LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Third-party political candidates could have an easier time getting on the Nebraska ballot thanks to a Libertarian state senator who is working to build her party.

Sen. Laura Ebke of Crete will present a bill this week that would create a new way for parties to maintain ballot access, allowing them to divert more resources into local races and fundraising.

If it passes, parties could automatically appear on the ballot if they have at least 10,000 registered members. The Libertarian Party of Nebraska cleared the threshold late last year.

Current law lets parties onto the ballot if they received at least 5 percent of the total votes cast in either of the two previous statewide elections. Those that fall short have to gain access through a petition drive.

NEW YORK (AP) — Cursive writing is looping back into style in schools across the country after a generation of students raised on keyboarding, texting and printing out letters longhand.

Alabama and Louisiana passed laws in 2016 mandating cursive proficiency in public schools, the latest of 14 states to require cursive. And last fall, the 1.1 million-student New York City school system encouraged teaching cursive to students in the third grade.

Penmanship proponents contend writing words in a single line is just a faster way of taking notes. Others say students should be able to understand cursive documents. And research suggests cursive helps students master spelling and sentence construction because they don’t have to think as much about forming letters.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska officials say they’re looking for an innovative approach to student assessment from six bidders that want the job.

State officials are poring over the six proposals for a contract to be awarded in May. The bids range from almost $3.6 million to $7.7 million for the first year.

The officials want assessments that test the state standards “at higher depth of knowledge” and include rigorous questions. They’re also seeking adaptive test items in which the computer selects questions in response to a student’s answers. A correct answer means the next question is tougher. Adaptive testing is viewed as more accurate.

The department expects most tests to be taken online.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A state senator says Nebraska should eliminate daylight saving time to help families and farmers and prevent health problems.

Sen. Lydia Brasch of Bancroft told a legislative committee on Friday that daylight saving time has been linked to increased risk of strokes, heart attacks and sleep-related accidents.

A teenage boy with epilepsy says he has more seizures the week after daylight saving time takes effect in spring. Parents and farmers say young children and animals have trouble adjusting to the change.

Opponents contend daylight saving time brings economic benefits. David Honnens of the Nebraska Golf Alliance says eliminating daylight saving time could cost Nebraska golf courses hundreds of thousands of dollars a year because many courses rely on golfers who play between 4 p.m. and sundown.

• Dale Wesley Stackhouse, 87, North Platte and Cynthia Gail Melcher, 55, Brady

 

• Matthew Cody La Rue, 25. North Platte and Annah Elizabeth Wesslund, 24, North Platte

 

• Tyler Michael Otzel, 26, Hershey and Brittany Nicole Retzlaff, 22, Hershey

 

• Zachary Thomas Walker, 27, Maywood and Emma Elizabeth Sutton, 26, Maywood,

 

• James Christopher Klopfenstein, 24, North Platte and Jessica Lyn Parker, 19, North Platte

 

• James Lynn Branam, 45, North Platte and Tina Marie Piper, 55, North Platte

 

• Jeramy Brant Chandler, 29, North Platte and Brett Alan Bancroft, 23, North Platte

 

• Joshua Allan Hall, 36, Halsey NE and Hannah Sigred Daly, 25, Halsey NE