LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The recent warm, dry weather is putting stress on Nebraska’s crops.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says it lowered crop condition ratings statewide because of the lack of moisture. Farmers are responding by turning on irrigation systems where they’re available.

Temperatures across Nebraska were about 4 degrees above normal on average last week.

About 70 percent of Nebraska’s corn crop is in good or excellent shape. That’s below the average of 78 percent good or excellent.

But the heat has helped the soybean crop develop quickly. About 97 percent of the soybeans have emerged, up from the average of 79 percent. About 64 percent of the soybean crop is in good or excellent shape.

The wheat harvest has begun in southeast Nebraska and should quickly move west across the state.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A new report says Nebraska’s net tax receipts in May were higher than expected.

The Nebraska Department of Revenue reported Monday that net receipts for the month totaled $338 million, which is 1 percent higher than the certified forecast of $334 million.

The report says net receipts from individual and corporate income taxes were greater than expected, while net sales and use and miscellaneous taxes came in below projections.

The comparisons are based on the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board’s forecast in April 2011. The board met again in February and decided to keep its projections the same.

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Breezy, with a southeast wind 5 to 8 mph increasing to between 20 and 23 mph. Winds could gust as high as 31 mph.

Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Breezy, with a south southeast wind between 14 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. South wind between 11 and 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

After a delayed flight, and much excitement for her arrival Miss Rodeo America lands in North Platte Monday Approximately at 1:30 PM
Check out what Miss Rodeo America has to say after she gets off her flight!

This year the Chili  Cook-off had return entries and plenty of 1st year entries. Every booth looked amazing from the decor to the chili and all the smells combined.  Plenty of people showed up to have a taste of all 11 of the chili’s.

Every one at the Cook-off had a fantastic time and surely nobody left hungry… Here are the winners of The Chili Cook-off!

 

 

 

 

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s tax on every gallon of fuel sold in the state will decrease slightly in July.

The Nebraska Department of Revenue says the tax will decline to 26.2 cents per gallon on July 1. That’s a decrease of half a cent from the current tax of 26.7 cents per gallon.

Officials estimate that each cent of motor fuels tax generates about $12 million in revenue annually for the state.

The new fuel tax rate will remain in effect through the end of 2012.

NORTH PLATTE- (Interact Club of North Platte)

The Interact club of North Platte will host a garage sale to benefit Makenna Walters on Saturday, June 16, 2012 from 8 am to 12 pm at 2320 Cedarberry Road. To donate items for the sale contact a club member by emailing interactclubnp@gmail.com.

Makenna Walters is a Seven year-old warrior with bravery matched by none other of her age. Walters was diagnosed with a heart condition that causes tissue build up around her heart, as she underwent many heart surgeries and a heart transplant.

You can see the “Prayers for Makenna Walters” Facebook page here. The page is a base for messages of hope and good words.

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (AP) — Miss Nebraska State Fair Mariah Cook has won the right to shorten her title to Miss Nebraska.

Cook won the Miss Nebraska 2012 title on Saturday, and she will represent the state in next January’s Miss America pageant in Las Vegas.

Cook won the talent competition with her piano performance Friday.

Cook says she is looking forward to meeting people all across the state while serving as Miss Nebraska over the next year.

The first runner up was Miss Omaha Mindy Schreiber. The second runner up was Miss Lincoln Rachel Foehlinger.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Gov. Dave Heineman is urging Nebraska residents to visit local farmers’ markets this summer to buy locally grown produce.

Heineman is also touting a state program that gives coupons to low-income senior citizens so they can buy food at local farmers’ markets.

The state agriculture department says 5,400 participating seniors redeemed $223,000 worth of coupons last year. This year’s program kicked off on June 1.

State agriculture officials say there are more than 75 markets now in 62 cities throughout Nebraska. More than 600 produce growers have registered with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, up from 78 in 2000.

Today: Sunny, with a high near 80. North northwest wind between 11 and 18 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52. North northwest wind between 3 and 9 mph.

Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Breezy, with a southeast wind 8 to 11 mph increasing to between 19 and 22 mph. Winds could gust as high as 31 mph.