LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s Libertarian Party could automatically appear on election ballots under a bill given final approval in the Legislature.

Lawmakers passed the measure Monday with a 48-0 vote. It would create a new way for parties to maintain ballot access, allowing them to divert more resources into local races and fundraising.

Parties could automatically appear on the ballot if they have at least 10,000 registered members. The Libertarian Party of Nebraska cleared the threshold late last year.

The bill was introduced by Sen. Laura Ebke of Crete, a former Republican who registered as a Libertarian last year. Ebke has said she believes the bill will promote competition and force parties to hone their messages.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — People convicted of felonies would be able to vote two years earlier under a bill passed by the Nebraska Legislature.

Lawmakers voted 27-13 Monday to eliminate the state’s two-year waiting period for felons to vote. The measure would let them vote as soon as they complete their sentences, including any parole or probation.

The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha, says it will help convicted felons who have served their sentences become more involved in their communities. It would affect about 7,800 felons in Nebraska.

Thirty-seven states and the District of Columbia already allow felons to vote after completing their sentences.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A plan to merge two state agencies that serve Nebraska veterans has won final approval from lawmakers.

Senators passed the measure Monday with a 49-0 vote. Gov. Pete Ricketts identified the plan as a way to streamline services for veterans and tap federal dollars to cover $1.4 million in expenses that are currently paid by the state.

Veterans’ groups and the state’s public employee union have applauded the idea.

The bill will place the state’s Division of Veterans Homes into the Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Currently, the division is a part of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Sen. John Murante of Gretna, the bill’s sponsor, has said the proposal will eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — People who seek medical help for opioid overdoses would be protected from drug charges under a bill that has won final approval from the Nebraska Legislature.

Senators voted 34-5 Monday to pass the bill to provide immunity from drug or drug paraphernalia charges to people who cooperate with medical professionals. Thirty-four states and the District of Columbia have similar laws.

The measure would provide immunity from civil liability to health care professionals who distribute medicine for life-threatening asthma attacks or allergic reactions.

It also would allow Nebraska doctors to prescribe medicine containing a marijuana extract for patients with seizures if the federal Food and Drug Administration approves the drug this summer.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Conservative lawmakers in Nebraska are pushing for a bill that would allow teachers to use physical force to restrain disruptive students.

Supporters of the bill defeated an attempt to kill it Monday but don’t appear to have the 33 votes necessary to overcome a filibuster.

The bill would allow teachers to use force to restrain violent students and restrain students without force if they destroy property. It would protect teachers from legal action or administrative discipline.

Sen. Mike Groene of North Platte, the bill’s sponsor, says it’s a common-sense law that will let teachers maintain discipline in the classroom. It would not affect the state’s ban on corporal punishment.

Opponents say the state should not pass any law allowing teachers to hurt children.

A 24-year-old Sutherland woman is facing a misdemeanor theft charge after she allegedly stole a wallet from a vehicle Sutherland Care Center.

At around 5:00 p.m., on April 21, deputies with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office responded to the report of a theft at Sutherland Care Center.

Deputies met with a victim who reported that her wallet, which contained several hundred dollars in cash and credit cards, had been taken from her car.

Through their investigation, deputies were able to identify the suspect as Kaitlyn Blaesi.

Contact was made with Blaesi and deputies performed a search of her vehicle.  As a result of the search, deputies were able to located the wallet, cash and credit cards.

Blaesi was placed under arrest and charged with theft (over $500) and unauthorized possession of a financial transaction device.  Blaesi was jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center and has since posted bond.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers have passed a bill that could save the state $19 million annually by streamlining the process state officials use when working with the federal government on road projects.

Senators gave the measure final approval on Monday with a 48-0 vote.

The bill by Sen. Mike Hilgers of Lincoln would direct the state to enter into an agreement with the federal government. It also would require the state to waive a small part of its sovereign immunity, giving the public a way to force state officials to conduct environmental reviews if they haven’t.

Hilgers say the agreement would eliminate some of the formal communications between state and federal officials that can add months to a project’s timeline. He says it will also save the federal government money.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s independent prison watchdog will be able to interview witnesses during ongoing law enforcement investigations under a bill given final approval from lawmakers.

Senators voted 42-2 Monday to pass the measure, which will go into effect immediately if Gov. Pete Ricketts signs it. That means corrections department Inspector General Doug Koebernick would be able to begin interviewing inmates and employees about a March uprising in which two inmates were killed.

Koebernick has had trouble investigating the uprising at Tecumseh prison because of an ongoing state patrol investigation.

The measure also protects state employees from retaliation for sharing information with Koebernick. Another bill passed 49-0 Monday provides whistleblower protections for employees who share information with the inspector general of child welfare.

SUTHERLAND, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a Washington man has died in a western Nebraska accident.

The Nebraska State Patrol says 45-year-old Nickolay Gorlov was heading west on Interstate 80 near Sutherland around 10:55 a.m. Friday when his van ran off the roadway and struck a tree.

The patrol says investigators suspect a medical condition caused the accident. The patrol says Gorlov lived in Vancouver, Washington.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — “The Fate of the Furious” has sped into first place at the box office again.

Studio estimates Sunday say the eighth installment in the “Fast and the Furious” franchise earned $38.7 million over the weekend. The new competition didn’t stand a chance against the high-octane film, which had the biggest global debut of all time last weekend.

Disney’s animal documentary “Born in China” earned $5.1 million to open in fourth place, behind holdovers “The Boss Baby,” with $12.8 million, and “Beauty and the Beast,” with $10 million.

Two other new movies fared worse.

Warner Bros.’ thriller “Unforgettable,” starring Katherine Heigl and Rosario Dawson, opened at No. 7 with a $4.8 million.

The Armenian genocide drama “The Promise,” with Oscar Isaac and Christian Bale, took ninth place with $4.1 million.