LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s tourism commission says the state has fallen behind its peers in its efforts to attract out-of-state tourists.

The agency says Nebraska recently placed last in a national ranking of locations people would like to visit. That assessment came in a budget request submitted to lawmakers and Gov. Pete Ricketts.

The commission is seeking permission to access an additional $500,000 a year from a cash fund generated by the state’s lodging tax. The money is already in the fund, but the commission can’t access it without approval.

Nebraska Tourism Commission Director John Ricks says the money would help pay for research and promotions targeted at key out-of-state markets. He says the state is already doing well with the Nebraska Passport program, which draws most of its participation from in-state residents.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Drivers are being warned to watch out for deer in the next few weeks because breeding season is in full swing and crops are being harvested in the region.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission says drivers should watch for deer, especially around dawn and dusk.

During breeding season, bucks are actively searching for mates, so they may be more likely to cross a road. And farming activity may drive them out of an area.

Drivers should wear their seat belts and anticipate having to stop suddenly if they encounter a deer.

Honking and flashing headlights may help frighten deer.

If drivers see a deer, they should assume others are nearby.

Driver who hit a deer can take the carcass if they contact Game and Parks officials within 24 hours.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska is expected to have its biggest crop of dry edible beans in more than 25 years.

Nebraska is best known for huge quantities of corn and beef. But the state is also becoming a top producer of bean varieties that include pinto beans and the white-colored great northern bean.

A report this month from the U.S. Department of Agriculture states that low corn prices and good growing conditions mean farmers can expect to see record yields for beans. The report states that farmers in areas where beans grow well planted about 40 percent more acres this year than last.

The U.S. Dry Bean Councils ays growing interest in ethnic foods and in plant-based foods may boost dry bean consumption.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A program designed to promote tourism in Nebraska has once again seen record-high participation.

The Nebraska Tourism Commission says 3,500 participants submitted prize sheets for the Nebraska Passport program, shattering last year’s record of nearly 1,300. The commission also announced Thursday that a record-setting 465 participants reached all 80 stops in this year’s program.

The program encourages people to visit designated “passport stops” throughout the state, where they collect stamps and qualify for prizes. The stops include a mix of museums, stores, restaurants and other attractions.

The average number of stamps submitted was 32. The most-visited stops include the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Dairy Store, Runza’s first restaurant in Lincoln and Bakers Candies Inc. in Greenwood.

This year’s program drew participants from more than 375 Nebraska communities and 43 states.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s top economic development official is leaving her job to become a lobbyist for the Nebraska Public Power District.

Nebraska Department of Economic Development Director Courtney Dentlinger will step down Dec. 1 to become the public power district’s government affairs manager. Gov. Pete Ricketts announced the change Friday and praised Dentlinger for her work in state government.

Ricketts says he has already begun a search for a new economic development director. He says Dentlinger’s team played a key role in attracting major businesses to the state. The state also won the Governor’s Cup for the most economic development projects per capita during her tenure.

Dentlinger has led the Department of Economic Development since January 2016. She previously served as the founding director of the Norfolk Area Economic Development Council.

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — A 33-year-old Kearney man has been sentenced to up to 30 years in prison for a sexual relationship with an underage girl last year.

Mark Sinachack was sentenced Wednesday in Buffalo County District Court for felony first-degree sexual assault of a child and enticement by electronic device. Court records indicate the victim was 15.

Sinachack’s lawyer said his client’s relationship with the girl would not have been a crime if it had started two months later. But prosecutors say Sinachack used a fake name and claimed to be 19 when he first met the girl and groomed her for sexual contact. The girl later discovered his real name and age and learned that he was married with children.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers and Gov. Pete Ricketts will continue to face budget problems in next year’s session, based on new estimates of state tax collections.

The Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board revised its forecast downward on Friday by $217.2 million, essentially lowering the amount of money available for the 2018 legislative session.

Under the new estimates, lawmakers will face a projected shortfall of roughly $195 million in the current two-year budget cycle.

State officials caution that the numbers could change dramatically, especially if President Donald Trump and Congress pass a major tax overhaul. Nebraska’s tax system is closely linked to the federal system, so changes at the federal level can influence state revenue.

Sen. John Stinner of Gering, the Appropriations Committee chairman, says lawmakers will once again have to set priorities.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska is working to change underrepresentation of women in all levels of politics, particularly local government.

The Omaha World-Herald interviewed 11 women serving in elected and appointed offices in Sarpy and Douglas counties. Most of the women say they felt respected by their male colleagues and had positive experiences with them. None say being a woman prevented them from doing their jobs. But most had more than one example of being treated differently.

The women cite times they were interrupted or talked down to, times it was assumed they were a secretary, criticism for their appearance and scrutiny for being assertive.

Gretna Councilwoman Angie Lauritsen says the solution to women being underrepresented in public office is reaching out to women to encourage them to run for office.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Congressman Adrian Smith, who represents Nebraska’s vast, rural 3rd District, is a new father.

The Nebraska Republican and his wife, Andrea, announced the birth of their son, Ezekiel Stephen Smith, on Friday afternoon. It is the couple’s first child.

Smith posted a picture of the newborn on Twitter, and tweeted Friday that “Mom and Zeke are both doing well.”

The 46-year-old Smith was first elected to Congress in 2006. Smith serves on the powerful House Committee on Ways and Means, and is chairman of the Subcommittee on Human Resources. He’s also a member of the Subcommittee on Health.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs officials say an unauthorized, secret waiting list for psychotherapy appointments at Omaha’s VA hospital delayed care for 87 veterans this year.

The Omaha World-Herald reported Saturday that letters addressed to Iowa Sens. Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley and Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse blamed the unauthorized list on “training deficiencies” involving the hospital’s medical support assistants.

The VA’s response to Sasse said no employees were fired, but one employee who was involved retired and another resigned. It also said no bonuses were paid based on performance data implicated in the investigation of the secret lists.

Officials said the investigation is continuing into whether lower-ranking employees in the VA’s Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System were responsible. That should be completed by the end of the month.