LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A state inspector general is voicing concerns about the state’s handling of sexual abuse cases in Nebraska’s child welfare and juvenile justice systems.

The Inspector General of Nebraska Child Welfare issued a report Wednesday that found some child sex abuse allegations were not properly reported or screened for investigation.

The report also says the state’s child welfare workforce isn’t adequately prepared to prevent or respond to sexual abuse cases in the system. Similar problems were found with out-of-home placements in foster homes and residential facilities.

Inspector General Julie Rogers says her office found cases where children who reported sexual abuse were ignored or dismissed because adults incorrectly assumed the children were doing so to misbehave.

The investigation reviewed 50 substantiated sex abuse cases over a three-year period.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska officials are easing scoring on a test for future teachers so more applicants can pass.

The applicants can now pass if the sum of their scores is high enough, instead of having separate high scores in math, reading, and writing.

The state adopted the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators test three years ago to screen applicants for teacher-education programs. It’s typically taken during a student’s sophomore year.

The three-part test is designed to measure a student’s knowledge, skills and ability deemed important in a beginning teacher.

Nebraska State Board of Education member, Rachel Wise, says the change to composite scoring won’t reduce teacher quality. She says it will provide more flexibility.

A 28-year-old North Platte man is facing a felony charge after he allegedly assaulted his girlfriend.

On December 26, at around 5:27 p.m., an officer with the North Platte Police department met with a 38-year-old female regarding an alleged assault.

The woman told the officer that she and her boyfriend, Christopher Schirmer, were living at the Knights Inn.

She reported that on December 23, Schirmer struck her in the side of her face/neck with a tray.  Investigator John Deal says the woman had a visible cut on her neck, consistent with what she was reporting. Schirmer also allegedly head-butted her and hit her in the face.

Then, on December 25, the victim alleged that Schirmer grabbed her by the throat and cut off her breathing, then punched her in the stomach.

Deal says the victim was able to remove herself from the situation and contact the police.

An officer was able to locate Schirmer in the Great Plains Health parking lot and place him under arrest.

He was jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center and charged with domestic assault and felony strangulation.

 

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A three-judge federal appeals court panel won’t revive a lawsuit filed against the Nebraska State Patrol leader fired earlier this year.

Todd Steckelberg, of Omaha, had appealed dismissal of his lawsuit against Brad Rice, whom Gov. Pete Ricketts fired amid allegations that patrol leaders mishandled internal investigations.

Steckelberg was a trooper for more than 25 years before retiring last year. His lawsuit alleged Rice created a hostile work environment and passed over Steckelberg for promotions.

The federal judge who dismissed the case said Steckelberg’s allegations weren’t supported by the facts. The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel said in a decision issued Tuesday that further discussion of the case “would have no precedential value.”

Steckelberg’s lawyer says another appeal is likely.

CHICAGO (AP) — A white Christmas for much of the Northeast and Midwest has given way to bitter cold until the New Year.

Chicago-area National Weather Service meteorologist Amy Seeley says to expect colder-than-normal temperatures the rest of the week. Temperatures hovered around zero degrees in Chicago on Tuesday.

The city of Erie, Pennsylvania, issued a snow emergency after forecasters say a Christmas storm dumped a record 34 inches of snow on the area. Another 19 inches fell before dawn Tuesday, bringing the total to 53 inches.

Meteorologists warn of sub-zero frigid arctic air and dangerously cold wind chills.

Wind chill advisories or warnings are in effect for parts of several states, including Wisconsin, Michigan, New York and Maine. Meteorologists say frostbite is possible with as little as 30 minutes of exposure.

SIDNEY, Neb. (AP) — An investigation is underway after a freight train derailment in western Nebraska.

No one was injured when the train derailed Sunday morning on the Union Pacific line west of Sidney, near the intersection of Highway 30.

Several railroad crossings were closed and blocked by the train.

The cause of the derailment is not known. It wasn’t immediately clear how many cars were off the tracks, or when the tracks would be cleared.

BRIDGEPORT, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has set a new date for its public meeting in the Panhandle on big game.

The meeting scheduled for last Thursday in Bridgeport was canceled because of bad weather. It’s been rescheduled for this coming Thursday, starting at 7 p.m. in the Prairie Winds Community Center, 428 N. Main St.

A Game and Parks biologist will explain issues and take questions on several topics, including deer management, deer damage and depredation permits, antlerless harvest, trophy management, and diseases. Antelope and elk issues also might be discussed.

The commission is encouraging hunters and landowners to attend and offer feedback.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Health experts are encouraging everyone to take some simple steps to remain healthy during the holidays.

Douglas County Health Director Dr. Adi Pour says some simple practices such as washing hands often can help limit the spread of germs.

Pour says it’s a good idea to make sure you don’t commit to too many things during the holidays.

And anyone who plans to drink alcohol should make arrangements for another driver.

Pour says it’s also good to get enough sleep and avoid over eating.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Expect some new debates on old measures when Nebraska lawmakers return to the Capitol next month for the 2018 session.

Senators have spent the last few months tinkering with proposals that stalled last year in hopes of reviving them during the 60-day session that begins Jan. 3.

Some of the bills likely to return for debate involve occupational licensing, online sales tax collections, voter ID proposals and a push to have Nebraska call for a constitutional convention.

Lawmakers can carry over bills from this year into the upcoming session, but only measures formally designated a “priority” have a realistic chance of getting debated.

Speaker of the Legislature Jim Scheer says he expects some debate on familiar issues but will work to ensure senators aren’t wasting time.

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (AP) — The longtime Scottsbluff fire chief has retired after being placed on administrative leave.

Dana Miller was put on the paid leave Nov. 29. He would say only that he was on leave pending an investigation. City Manager Nathan Johnson has declined to discuss Miller’s being placed on leave, saying it was a personnel matter.

Miller had headed the department for 18 years. He said Thursday that he’s been eligible to retire for some time.

Scottsbluff Police Chief Kevin Spencer has been named interim fire chief.