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Nebraska bill opposed by craft breweries advanced for debate

craft-beersLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A bill opposed by Nebraska’s craft brewers is headed to the full Legislature for debate.

The General Affairs Committee voted 6-2 on Friday to advance the measure. The legislation clarifies that beer produced by microbreweries must first go to a distributor’s warehouse before getting shipped to grocery stores, liquor stores and other outlets. Restaurants and bars owned by the breweries would be exempt.

Craft brewers have said the bill will stifle an industry that has flourished throughout Nebraska. Supporters say the bill will protect the state against lawsuits. Major breweries generally oppose laws designed to help microbreweries, arguing that they’re a form of unconstitutional discrimination involving interstate commerce.

Gov. Ricketts proclaims May as beef month in Nebraska

Gov. Pete Ricketts
Gov. Pete Ricketts

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Gov. Pete Ricketts has proclaimed May as Beef Month in Nebraska to honor the state’s beef producers.

Ricketts signed the proclamation Friday with state and industry representatives at a news conference at the Capitol. Nebraska was the nation’s top beef exporter in 2016, and has exceeded $1 billion in exports every year since 2014.

Nebraska Department of Agriculture Director Greg Ibach says the beef industry helps other agricultural businesses expand, such as corn and ethanol producers. He says it also helps businesses in Lincoln and Omaha.

Longer prison sentences for Nebraska traffickers advances

NE LegislatureLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A bill creating longer prison sentences for people who buy or sell sex is moving forward in the Nebraska Legislature.

Senators sent the measure to a third and final reading Friday. It would result in a minimum of 20 years in prison for anyone involved in sex trafficking of a minor and clarifies that minors cannot consent to prostitution.

Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln says she sponsored the bill to send a clear message that Nebraska will not tolerate sex trafficking. Creighton University researchers who analyzed postings on a website used to sell sex believe 900 people are sold each month.

The bill also would allow sexual assault survivors to block their rapists from gaining custody of children conceived in rape.

Draft Nebraska standards tell pupils to act like scientists

schoolLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A draft of Nebraska’s new science standards for public schools focuses on inquiry and thinking skills as much as scientific concepts.

The standards unveiled Thursday would apply to students from kindergarten through high school across Nebraska. They call on students to think and act like scientists by gathering and analyzing data, and communicating their results.

State Department of Education official Sara Cooper says scientific concepts and inquiry skills are currently considered separate standards. Millard Public Schools educator Ellen Kramer says combining them would advance science education.

The new standards address topics like the big-bang theory, climate change, evolution and genetically modified organisms.

Nebraska teachers, administrators and higher-education representatives began writing the new standards in October. The state Board of Education hopes to vote on a final draft by September.

Man pleads guilty to wire fraud for project financing scheme

ne-supreme-court-gavelKEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — A former Kearney investor has pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud for scamming a partnership that owned a commercial property in Lincoln.

Jeff Sikes entered the plea in U.S. District Court in Lincoln last week. In exchange, prosecutors will dismiss 18 other counts when he’s sentenced in July.

Court records say that between April 1, 2013, and July 1, 2014, Sikes devised a scheme in which the partnership would provide $750,000 for property improvement that would meet Sikes’ supposed needs for laboratory space.

Prosecutor Steven Russell says that as part of the scheme, a company controlled by Sikes was made general contractor for the work. Russell says Sikes then provided false invoices for which his contacting company was paid by the partnership.

Sorority kicks out 25 members at local chapter in Lincoln

UNLLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — National officials have dismissed 25 members from the Delta Delta Delta sorority at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln following reports of underage drinking.

The national sorority office began an investigation in February after university officials raised concerns about a student taken to a hospital over an incident with alcohol.

Individual interviews were held with members of the local chapter. It had been on probation during the fall 2016 semester because of allegations that underage members drank alcohol on the day students accepted invitations to join their fraternities or sororities.

University spokesman Steve Smith says the ousters are examples “of the executive and local boards holding their chapter accountable.”

Nebraska lawmakers split on online sales tax proposal

taxesLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers are debating requiring online retailers to collect sales tax or notify buyers that tax is due.

Sen. Dan Watermeier of Syracuse said Thursday that he sponsored the bill to encourage collection of sales tax for online purchases. He says most people pay taxes when they know they owe them but are unaware that online purchases should be taxed.

Nebraska loses between $30 million and $40 million annually from unpaid sales tax on online purchases.

A 1992 Supreme Court decision says states can only tax businesses with locations within the state. Businesses can voluntarily collect the tax, and Amazon announced in December it would do so.

Senators who oppose the bill have promised to filibuster it. Gov. Pete Ricketts has said he will not sign it.

NP 13-year-old struck by vehicle while riding bicycle

north_platte_patchA North Platte teenager was injured on Thursday morning after being struck by a vehicle.

At around 8:08 a.m., North Platte police responded to the report of a vehicle versus bicycle accident at the intersection of Philip and McDonald.

According to Investigator John Deal, a blue 2010 Nissan Rogue, driven by 77-year-old Judith Carstens, was traveling eastbound on Philip Avenue and had stopped at the four-way stop at the McDonald intersection.

Deal says Carstens continued traveling eastbound and struck 13-year-old Raquel Bujanda who was properly crossing on a bicycle in the crosswalk.

Bujanda was transported to Great Plains Health for injuries to her hip and upper leg.  Deal says the injuries do not appear to be life-threatening.

Deal says investigators spoke to several witnesses to the accident and it appears that the sun was possibly shining in Carstens’ eyes and she could not see Bujanda.

No citations were issued.  The vehicle sustained minor damage.

 

 

WCDHD: All tests for measles negative

wcdhdThe West Central District Health Department reports testing on all suspected cases is negative.

WCDHD’s current investigation shows only one confirmed Measles case at this time. The time frame for contacts of the one confirmed measles case to begin showing signs and symptoms of measles is 7-21 days. This time frame ends for Lincoln County on May 4, 2017.

We are still encouraging medical providers to contact us, if you are having any patients with symptoms.

For more information on measles and for updates as the investigation continues, please visit the WCDHD website at http://wcdhd.org/measles2017.html or follow our Facebook page.

Nebraska education board mulls contract with testing company

testingLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Department of Education is considering a five-year, $29.2 million contract with a company that’s offering a new approach to the majority of statewide academic tests for elementary students.

The education board has chosen the Northwest Evaluation Association to give reading, math and science tests to third- through eighth-graders.

After recurring technical problems with a previously contracted company, state officials decided to seek other proposals that broadened the testing company’s role and changed the questions’ formatting. The change is part of a larger effort to create an accountability system for schools that relies on more than test scores.

State education assessment director Valorie Foy says Northwest’s proposal includes assessments schools can use to gauge student performance in addition to the state tests.

The board will vote on the contract Friday.

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