LINCOLN, Neb. (AP)–The ACLU of Nebraska says low-income offenders often can’t pay fines and bail amounts assessed in the state’s courts, effectively creating a debtor’s prison.

The organization released a 72-page report Tuesday written after a study of Nebraska’s criminal justice system and its impact on people, jails and communities. The ACLU focused on Douglas, Lancaster, Sarpy and Hall counties in its investigation.

Other findings in the report include that over half of the people in county jails are in custody because they’re waiting for trial and are unable to afford bail.

The group recommends that police issue citations in lieu of arrest whenever possible and that judges ensure attorneys are appointed before bail is set.

County jail officials say they’re trying to avoid keeping people who can’t afford fees and are associated with nonviolent crimes out of jail.

LINCOLN – The 2017 vehicle park entry permits for Nebraska state parks are now available on the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s website.

Persons purchasing these permits through the website will be able to print a temporary permit upon completion of their transaction. The physical permit will be mailed to the address provided, typically within 10 days. Temporary permits are valid through Noon, Central time, on Jan. 15, 2017.

Beginning in 2017, there is a separate permit for vehicles licensed outside of Nebraska, in addition to the one for vehicles licensed in Nebraska. Each of these permits is available in annual, duplicate annual and daily formats.

The permits, and their fees are: vehicles licensed in Nebraska – annual, $30; duplicate annual, $15; daily, $6; vehicles licensed outside of Nebraska – annual, $45; duplicate annual, $22.50; daily, $8.

Permit vendors will be receiving the park entry permits in coming weeks.

Permits may be purchased at OutdoorNebraska.org. A park entry permit is required of each vehicle entering a Nebraska state park, state recreation area or state historical park.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska officials are reporting a sharp decline in jobless claims and benefits paid out this year as well as lower unemployment tax rates for businesses.

The state labor department says unemployment benefits paid out in the first nine months of 2016 fell by more than 19 percent, compared to a decline of less than 1 percent nationally. Gov. Pete Ricketts on Wednesday attributed the decline to Nebraska’s first-in-the-nation reemployment program.

Ricketts says the reduction in claims and benefits paid has already resulted in $13.4 million in savings so far this year.

Commissioner of Labor John Albin says Nebraska’s average unemployment insurance tax rate has fallen for the sixth straight year. The average tax rate for 2017 will be 0.75 percent, a decrease of 0.25 percentage points from this year.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (AP) — “Pokemon Go,” the Olympics and the presidential election are among Google’s top trending searches of 2016.

Powerball tops the list. The multi-state lottery handed out a record $1.6 billion prize in January and a $429 million payout in June.

Also in the top 10 are musical icons David Bowie and Prince, who died in January and April, respectively, and Hurricane Matthew, which barreled through the Caribbean and made landfall in the U.S. in October.

Brad Pitt is Google’s top trending actor searched in 2016. Prince Harry’s girlfriend, Megan Markle, trended most among actresses.

Beyonce topped musical searches. She was the most trending artist and her “Formation” was the top trending song in Google searches.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — One of the four Nebraska liquor stores that sell millions of cans of beer near the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation has been sanctioned for selling to a minor.

The Nebraska Liquor Control Commission decided Tuesday to penalize the Arrowhead Inn. The business is expected to pay a $600 fine for the Oct. 1 violation to avoid a 12-day suspension of its liquor license.

A 19-year-old told a Nebraska State Trooper he bought beer at the Arrowhead Inn.

The commission’s Hobert Rupe says the suspension will be considered in the Arrowhead Inn’s license renewal application, but the business’ last violation before this case was in 2010.

The four stores in Whiteclay sold the equivalent of 3.5 million cans of beer last year near the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.

BEAVER CITY, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska dad has been found guilty of misdemeanor assault for attacking a 17-year-old wrestler who defeated his son during a tournament in Cambridge in February.

41-year-old Stacey Micheel pleaded no contest to the charge last week as part of a deal with prosecutors. Originally, the Ainsworth man had been charged with felony child abuse.

Prosecutors say Micheel grabbed an Amherst High School wrestler by the neck and slammed him to the ground. Micheel told investigators that the teen made a disparaging remark about pinning his son.

Micheel could face up to one year in jail when he’s sentenced on Feb. 9.