SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a woman whose body was found in a Scottsbluff apartment was a homicide victim.

Police say the body of 48-year-old Melissa May was found Tuesday morning after officers were dispatched for a welfare check. Officers say May lived at a different apartment in the complex. It’s believed she was slain over the weekend.

Investigators say evidence inside the apartment leads them to believe May was killed by someone, but they have not publicly released the information or said how she was killed. An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday.

No arrests have been reported.

DETROIT (AP) — Demand may be slowing, but U.S. consumers still bought a whole lot of cars and trucks in 2016.

U.S. sales of new vehicles could hit a new high in 2016. Consulting firm LMC Automotive and car-buying site Edmunds.com both predict sales will squeak past the record set last year and reach 17.5 million in 2016.

General Motors Co. said its full-year sales were down 1.3 percent to just over 3 million cars and trucks. That was partly because the company cut back on low-profit sales to rental car firms.

Other automakers report December and full-year sales later Wednesday.

LMC expects sales to be up 1.4 percent in December compared with a year ago, with total sales of just over 1.6 million vehicles. GM’s sales were up 10 percent for the month.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers have chosen Sen. Jim Scheer of Norfolk as their new speaker.

Scheer was elected by secret ballot Wednesday with a 27-22 vote on the legislative session’s first day. Sen. Matt Williams of Gothenburg had also sought the position.

As speaker, Scheer will control the daily agenda, work to resolve conflicts among lawmakers and serve as an ambassador for the one-house, nonpartisan Legislature. He says he will work to preserve the Legislature’s independence from the executive and judicial branches and will not be intimidated, but he also pledged to collaborate.

Scheer replaces former state Sen. Galen Hadley of Kearney, who left office because of term limits.

Williams and Scheer are both registered Republicans.

Adams and Cooley Rat Pack Jazz will take their audience on a nostalgic trip to the past with music from “The Golden Era of Song” in a matinee performance presented by the North Platte Concert Association at 2 p.m. on Jan. 8 at the Neville Center for the Performing Arts, Fifth and Bailey streets.

Sponsors of this concert are Dr. Chris and Julie Johng, and Michael and Julie Jacobson.

Johnny Adams, vocalist, and Ron Cooley, guitar, have worked together musically for many years, though they have known each other even longer, growing up in the same neighborhood in Omaha. Both are versatile musicians who are songwriters and have worked with Chip Davis and Mannheim Steam Roller for many years.

They will be joined by upright bassist Andy Hall, saxophonist Dennis Strawn and percussionist Carlos Figueroa.

The combo will play music made famous by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett and Nat King Cole.

Rat Pack Jazz is well known throughout eastern Nebraska and the Midwest. A member of the Butler County Arts Council praised Rat Pack Jazz for their talent, professionalism and rapport with the audience. Other organizations have also been very complimentary of the ensemble’s concerts.

Admission is with membership in the North Platte Concert Association. Memberships are available by contacting Pat Hoban, 1412 W. Fourth St., at 308-534-4699. The cost of season memberships is $50 for adults, $100 for families (parents or guardians with minor children) and $15 for students.