(AP) — A new national report estimates 122,000 people in Nebraska are eligible for tax credits that would help cover the cost of health insurance on the new online marketplaces.

The analysis from the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation was released last week.

It says an estimated 239,000 people in Nebraska are potential customers on the health care marketplaces, including those who don’t qualify for Medicaid or for an employer-based health care plan. To receive subsidies, people must have incomes between 100 and 400 percent of the federal poverty level — between $23,550 and $94,200 annually for a family of four.

Nebraska is one of 36 states where the federal government is running the online health care exchange. That federal website has faced technical problems since the Oct. 1 rollout.

(AP) — Nebraska’s largest public power utility will not raise electricity rates next year.

The Nebraska Public Power District voted Friday to keep rates steady going into 2014.

Earlier this year, the utility had said it would likely need a 3.5 percent rate increase. But cost-cutting measures were able to reduce that proposed increase to 2 percent.

NPPD President and CEO Pat Pope said continued efficiencies and a strong financial summer eliminated the need for a rate hike.

NPPD helps serve an estimated 600,000 Nebraskans in 86 counties with retail or wholesale electric power.

(AP) — University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension will be setting up Master Gardener training across the state.

The Nebraska Master Gardener program is a volunteer training program that’s been part of UNL Extension since 1976. The volunteers are trained by UNL Extension faculty and staff in order to provide education about sustainable horticultural practices.

Class times, locations and costs vary. Generally the classes are offered from February through May.

Lancaster County will offer two Master Gardner training programs — at the Lancaster County Extension Office and the UNL East Campus. The cost at both locations is $180.

All counties’ applications may be found at https://mastergardener.unl.edu/become-a-master-gardener. Potential volunteers may also check with their local extension offices for details on the classes.

(AP) — The Nebraska Insurance Department has scheduled an educational session on the Affordable Care Act.

The session is scheduled to run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday in the Regents DE Conference room at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 1040 P St.

There will be a presentation on insurance exchanges and the role of the state in the insurance marketplace. Discussions on open enrollment and on rates are scheduled as well.

Time will be set aside for questions and answers.

(AP) — Nebraska’s attorney general is warning residents about phone scams related to computer technical support.

Attorney General Jon Bruning says in a release Friday that his office has recently received multiple reports about individuals calling residents and falsely claiming to represent Microsoft Corp.

The individuals claim to be technical support professionals, and add that there’s an imminent security threat to a personal or business computer. The caller then tries to get sensitive information stored on the computer.

Bruning says residents should never provide access to a personal or business computer to people they don’t know.

(AP) — Gov. Dave Heineman has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in Nebraska in honor of the memory of former Congressman John Y. McCollister.

Flags are to be flown at half-staff on Friday — the day of McCollister’s funeral. A private burial will take place in Omaha.

McCollister died Nov. 1 at the age of 92. He served as a Navy radar officer in the Pacific during World War II and served three terms in the House from 1971 to 1977.

(AP) — A promised $90,000 donation has sparked plans for more Honor Flights full of veterans to see the memorials in Washington, D.C.

Bill Williams, of Patriotic Productions in Omaha, said he wants to charter two planes and fly more than 300 veterans to the nation’s capital so they can see the Korean and other memorials. He’d organized a flight last week that took more than 130 veterans from Nebraska to Washington.

Williams says he’d been thinking of ways to raise money for one more Honor Flight. When an Omaha resident called with a promise of $90,000, Williams expanded his plans to include two planes. He says he’s calling the effort Operation Airlift.

He says the donation will get him started, but he’ll need more help.

The Golden Spike Tower and Visitors Center has a new Executive Director.

President of the Board of Directors, Jeanie Gilbert, made the announcement today.

“We are pleased to welcome Kirsten Parker as our new Executive Director.” said Gilbert.

Parker will begin December 1, 2013.

“There are so many possibilities and opportunities for the Golden Spike and I am really looking forward to joining the staff and volunteers to help it enhance and grow for our community.” said Parker.

JoAnne Hoatson, Golden Spike current Executive Director will help with the transition. “I have worked with Kirsten on a few committees in the past. I believe she’ll be a great fit.”

Hoatson resigned last month to pursue another career opportunity in North Platte.

(AP) — A 49-year-old Scottsbluff man has died in a Nebraska Panhandle traffic accident.

The Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s Office says the accident occurred around 4:10 p.m. Thursday on Robidoux Road southwest of Gering.

Deputies say Larry Olbricht lost control of his sport utility vehicle after it crested a hill. The SUV left the roadway and rolled end over end several times, ejecting Olbricht.

He was pronounced dead at the scene. No one else in the vehicle.

The sheriff’s office says speed likely was a factor in the accident.

(AP) — Another seismic survey for oil has begun in the Nebraska Panhandle.

Dawson Geophysical is poring over a 100-square-mile section along the Niobrara River in Sioux County.

The work is expected to continue through the end of the year. Once finished, Dawson will forward the data to WhitMar Exploration Co. and Hawkwood Energy to make drilling decisions.

WhitMar says the companies expect to drill a pilot test well in spring 2014.

The newspaper says previous oil projects in Sioux County have met only limited success.