O’NEILL, Neb. (AP) — A state commission that will decide whether to approve the Keystone XL oil pipeline’s route through Nebraska has scheduled a one-day public hearing in northern Nebraska’s Holt County.

The Nebraska Public Service Commission says the hearing will run from 1 to 8 p.m. June 7 at the O’Neill Community Center in O’Neill. Public comment will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Speakers will have three to five minutes to comment about the TransCanada project.

A hearing was held May 3 in York and a five-day hearing is scheduled to run Aug. 7-11 at a Lincoln hotel.

The $8 billion pipeline would transport oil from Alberta, Canada, across Montana and South Dakota to Nebraska, where it would connect with an existing pipeline that feeds Texas Gulf Coast refineries.

LEXINGTON, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska woman accused of causing a fatal accident while texting has taken a plea deal.

Court records say 19-year-old Hailey Boutin, of Eustis, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor vehicular homicide after prosecutors lowered it from a felony count. Her sentencing is scheduled for July 17.

Authorities say Boutin likely was distracted by a text message on her cellphone Sept. 19, moments before running a stop sign about 10 miles (16 kilometers) south of Cozad on Nebraska Highway 21 and slamming into another vehicle. The impact caused the other vehicle to roll several times, killing a passenger, 59-year-old Mary Robertson, who lived in Cozad. The crash seriously injured Robertson’s husband, 64-year-old Monte Robertson, who was driving.

A medicine made from marijuana cut seizures in kids with a severe form of epilepsy in a study that strengthens the case for more research into pot’s possible health benefits.

The study involved 120 children and teens in the U.S. and Europe and was the first rigorous test of a liquid extract from cannabis, without the ingredient that makes pot smokers high.

For those on the drug, seizures with convulsions dropped from around 12 a month to about six. The number did not change for others given a dummy medicine.

The drug is called Epidiolex (eh’-pih-DYE’-uh-lehx). It is not sold anywhere yet, but its maker is seeking U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval.

The New England Journal of Medicine published the study Wednesday.

BEATRICE, Neb. (AP) — Gage County officials say a Beatrice man has been killed in a lawn mower accident.

Gage County Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson said the body of 55-year-old Max Manes, of Beatrice, was found Wednesday morning.

Gustafson says family members reported that a mower operated by Manes had gone over an embankment and was upside down in the water of a creek. Deputies and rescue crews went to the scene and found Manes’ body under the large mower. Gustafson says family members of Manes’ reported had been mowing Tuesday night and did not return home. His body was found around 9:50 a.m. Wednesday.

An autopsy has been ordered.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts says he’ll keep pursuing a package of income and property tax cuts in next year’s session even though his plan stalled when lawmakers considered it this year.

Ricketts says he’ll work with legislative leaders over the summer to tweak the plan in hopes of building a larger coalition. His comments came in an interview before lawmakers adjourned for the year on Tuesday.

The governor’s plan was derailed in part because of pressure from farm group lobbyists who said it didn’t do enough to offset years of rising property taxes.

Sen. Jim Smith of Papillion, who sponsored the tax package, says he understands the desire to lower property taxes but notes that they’re levied by local governments, not the state.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska state senator is vowing to launch a statewide ballot drive to lower property taxes if lawmakers don’t address the issue next year.

Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard discussed his plans Tuesday at the end of this year’s legislative session. Lawmakers adjourned without passing any major property tax proposals.

Property taxes are levied by local governments, but farm and ranching groups have lobbied senators for funding that would offset what property owners have to pay.

Erdman says he’ll introduce a constitutional amendment in next year’s session, and if that fails, he’ll commence a petition drive to place it on the November 2018 ballot.

Sen. Curt Friesen of Henderson says he had high hopes for this year’s session but now believes a ballot drive is the only solution.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Legislature’s longtime sergeant-at-arms is retiring after a 58-year career in public service.

Lawmakers on Tuesday recognized Ron Witkowski for his work in state government.

Witkowski began his career as an assistant sergeant-at-arms in 1997, and was first elected sergeant-at-arms in January 2004. He previously worked for the Nebraska State Patrol for 37 years and served in the Marine Corps.

Speaker of the Legislature Jim Scheer says the Capitol is now a “better and safer place” because of Witkowski’s service. Lawmakers voted 45-0 to approve a resolution honoring his work.

Staffers for the sergeant-at-arms help maintain order in the legislative chamber. They’re commonly known as “red coats” for the red jackets they wear on the job.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Congressman Adrian Smith says cuts to farm subsidies and other rural programs outlined in President Donald Trump’s budget proposal will likely be “perceived as unfair cuts” by constituents and Congress.

Smith, a Republican who represents Nebraska’s vast, rural 3rd District, said Tuesday in a telephone news conference that he has concerns regarding the proposed $38 billion in farm subsidy cuts over 10 years. Smith said “this is not the first time there have been budget assaults” on agriculture spending, but notes that the proposal comes at a time when the ag economy is struggling.

Smith serves on the powerful tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee.

Smith said the Trump budget is only a proposal and that he doesn’t believe Congress has an appetite for severe ag cuts.

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — A Kearney woman who attacked two people and a dog that later died has been sentenced to four years in prison.

26-year-old Desiree Deherrera was sentenced last week in Buffalo County District Court. She was convicted of strangulation, making terroristic threats, animal cruelty and assault.

Police say officers were called to a Kearney home in February for a fight involving two women and a man. Arriving officers were met by a man who said Deherrera was killing his dog.

Police found Deherrera on top of a German shepherd mix surrounded by blood. Police say she had stabbed the dog several times and attacked the man when he tried to stop her.

The dog had to be euthanized.

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (AP) — A former Scottsbluff vehicle dealership employee has pleaded guilty to embezzling while working there.

Court documents say 58-year-old Terry Weddle is scheduled to be sentenced July 3.

The documents say the owner of Fremont Motor told police that Weddle had written and signed unauthorized checks from July 2014 through December 2016. They totaled more than $113,000.