LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Convicted felons who finish their prison sentences will still have to wait two years before they can vote in Nebraska.

Lawmakers on Monday fell short of the support needed to override Gov. Pete Ricketts’ veto of a bill that would have eliminated the two-year waiting period. Senators needed 30 votes to override the governor, but the vote was 23-23.

The failed override attempt will keep a more restrictive voting law than found in 37 states and the District of Columbia.

The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha, says lawmakers who voted to sustain the veto supported “a past bill that is based and founded in racism, exclusion and fear.” People of color make up about 15 percent of Nebraska’s population but nearly half of its prison population.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — About 200 relatives of Nebraska and Iowa service members will be honored during a day of public and private events.

The Gold Star families will be guests of the Honor and Remember Nebraska Chapter at a private commemorative dinner on Saturday.

Chapter President Jim Meier says the families will then be bused to TD Ameritrade Park for the seventh annual Families of the Fallen Walk, where they’ll march into the stadium before the beginning of a college baseball game.

After the game, the names of the service members who died in Iraq and Afghanistan fighting will display on the stadium’s jumbo screen.

George Lutz says he started Honor and Remember and began distributing flags to Gold Star families to tell them their sacrifice is remembered.

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — Officials say a Powerball lottery ticket worth $1 million has been sold in Grand Island.

The lottery says the ticket was sold at the Casey’s General Store on North Eddy Street. It matched the first five numbers drawn Saturday night — 11, 21, 31, 41 and 59 — but not the Powerball number of 21. The Power Play number was 3.

No one won the jackpot, which is expected to reach $165 million for Wednesday’s drawing.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Gov. Pete Ricketts’ tax package may have failed this year, but some advocates and senators say they still hope to salvage property tax legislation in the session’s final days.

Senators say Ricketts’ comprehensive tax proposal faltered because it focused too much on the income tax. The bill died last week when supporters fell six votes short of the 33 needed to overcome a filibuster.

Lawmakers are trying to craft a plan that focuses primarily on property taxes. Sen. Curt Friesen of Henderson declined to give specifics but says it will need urban and rural support to pass.

Sen. Jim Smith of Papillion, the Revenue Committee chairman, says he doesn’t believe it will happen this year. He still wants to see a proposal with income tax cuts.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska health officials are warning residents to be prepared for ticks as the weather warms up.

State epidemiologist, Dr. Tom Safranek, says tick-related illnesses — including Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever — can be serious. He and other health officials recommend dressing in long-sleeve shirts, long pants and socks when outdoors, as well as using a DEET bug repellent or permethrin-treated clothing.

Resident should shower as soon as possible after being outdoors and conduct frequent tick checks after being outdoors. Remove any attached ticks promptly with fine-tipped tweezers.

After removing a tick, watch for signs of illness such as rash or fever in the days and weeks following the bite, and see a health care provider if these develop.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — With the raising of a 400-megawatt wind farm in the state, Nebraska has sailed past 1,000 megawatts — or 1 gigawatt — of wind-generated capacity.

Nebraska’s turbines provide over 1,300 megawatts of capacity with more on the way, looking to take advantage of the state’s largely untapped wind potential.

The American Wind Energy Association says Nebraska is the 18th state to join the group of gigawatt-level wind energy states.

The association reported last month that wind accounted for over 10 percent of electricity generated in the state for the first time last year. The figure was less than 3 percent just five years ago, according to the federal Energy Information Administration.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — This year’s Free Fishing and Park Entry Day in Nebraska is scheduled for May 20.

On that day, people may enjoy a Saturday of fishing or state park activities without the need to obtain fishing or park entry permits for the day.

The special day is held yearly on the Saturday preceding Memorial Day weekend. Anglers must observe all fishing regulations, and camping, lodging and all other user fees still apply at state park areas.

Visit OutdoorNebraska.org and check the online calendar for more details.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — State officials say the peregrine falcons atop the Nebraska State Capitol have abandoned their recently-laid clutch of five eggs.

The male, named 19/K, and female, named Alley, apparently remain present at the Capitol but have not been seen in their nest box — or more importantly, on their eggs — since April 30, exposing them to cold and wet weather.

Officials say nest abandonment by peregrine falcons is rare, and the cause of this instance is unknown, although the pair did get a late start this year. In past years, the pair has started egg-laying in late March or early April. This year, the first egg did not arrive until April 16.

The nest abandonment ends the 2017 nesting cycle.

The following statement was issued by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office in regards to the in-custody death of Robert Mills:

On May 5, 2017, a Grand Jury was convened in Lincoln County District Court. The Grand Jury was presented the case of Robert Mills in custody death. Mr. Mills had committed suicide while being pursued by the North Platte Police Department on January 15, 2017. All in-custody deaths in Nebraska must be reviewed by the Grand Jury.

After hearing the entire case, the Grand Jury returned a NO TRUE BILL. Meaning the Police Officers involved did nothing criminally wrong.

RELATED CONTENT:

http://www.northplattepost.com/2017/01/15/man-being-pursued-by-np-police-takes-own-life/

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Supreme Court has reprimanded a western Nebraska attorney for a news release he sent to reporters on behalf of his client in a child death case.

The state’s Counsel for Discipline charged Bell Island, of Gering, with — among other things — knowingly making false statements.

The charges stemmed from a news release Island issued after his client refused to testify for the prosecution during the 2015 trial of her one-time boyfriend, Dustin Chauncey. Chauncey was charged with child abuse resulting in the 2008 death of 2-year-old Juliette Geurts, the daughter of Island’s client. Island’s release suggested that the prosecutor wanted his client to lie on the witness stand.

A referee found that Island had violated professional conduct rules by calling into question the prosecutor’s integrity and ethics.