LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers are divided on a bill that would eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for people convicted of crimes including drug possession, assaulting a police officer and distributing child pornography.

Senators on Tuesday began debating the measure proposed by Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha. He says mandatory minimum penalties prevent judges from using discretion when sentencing.

Sen. Bob Krist of Omaha says mandatory minimums discourage good behavior. Mandatory minimums allow prisoners to serve their full sentence and leave prison without participating in rehabilitative programs.

Opponents including Sen. Mike Hilgers of Lincoln say crimes now subject to mandatory minimums are serious and deserve harsh penalties. Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson and other prosecutors also oppose the bill.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A state law that allows Nebraska counties to kill black-tailed prairie dogs on private property if a neighbor complains could be in jeopardy under a bill advanced by a committee.

The Legislature’s Agriculture Committee voted 6-1 on Tuesday to advance the measure for debate.

Black-tailed prairie dogs are native to western Nebraska and considered an important species to maintain the region’s ecological balance, but some ranchers view them as pests because they tear up valuable grassland.

Only Sheridan County in northwest Nebraska has made use of the law, which allows counties to establish management programs for the animals. Landowners are given notice to clear the animals themselves. Those who fail to comply can face fines and have a county-designated manager come onto their property.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Air Force Reserves will qualify for military honor license plates under a new Nebraska law.

Gov. Pete Ricketts signed a measure Tuesday that will create five new military honor license plate designs. Reservists and officers of the United States Public Health Service or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration can apply for the plates.

The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Dan Watermeier of Syracuse, says it will honor reservists who have served their country.

The measure also allows military honor plates on vehicles owned by a trust that includes an eligible veteran.

Veterans and active members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and National Guard already qualify for military honor plates. They cost as much as standard license plates.

COLUMBUS, Neb. (AP) — A Platte County judge has ruled that the Nebraska Public Power District doesn’t have to release utility records showing how much it costs to generate electricity.

Private energy developer Gary Aksamit of Aksamit Resource Management filed a document in June 2016 asking judges in three counties to require their electric utilities to disclose costs of generating electricity. Aksamit’s lawyers argued in December that releasing those records would serve public purposes.

Judge Robert Steinke wrote Feb. 28 that the information release wouldn’t serve a public purpose.

Aksamit Resource Management Vice President Michael Matheson argued Monday that there is still a public interest in releasing the records because otherwise “there is no public oversite on public power in Nebraska.”

Utility spokesman Mark Becker says the public power company is “obviously pleased” by the decision.

CHICAGO (AP) — A new study finds fewer overweight Americans have been trying to lose weight in recent years. And researchers wonder if fat acceptance could be among the reasons.

The trend over nearly two decades could also reflect people giving up after repeated failed dieting attempts. It happened as U.S. obesity rates climbed.

Researchers at Georgia Southern University analyzed U.S. government health surveys from 1988 through 2014. More than 27,000 adults aged 20 to 59 were involved.

In the early surveys, about half the adults were overweight or obese. Those numbers climbed to 65 percent by 2014. But the portion of overweight or obese adults who said they were trying to slim down fell from 55 percent to 49 percent.

The results were published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

CHICAGO (AP) — If you’re gorging on bacon or skimping on nuts, you might want to rethink your diet. That’s according to new research that links 10 foods with deaths from heart disease, strokes and diabetes.

The study says overeating or not eating enough of those foods contributes to nearly half of U.S. deaths from the three causes.

The researchers used data showing that about 700,000 Americans died in 2012 from heart disease, strokes and diabetes. They also examined several years of national health surveys that asked adults about their diets.

“Good” foods that were under-eaten included nuts and seeds, seafood and fruits. “Bad” foods that were overeaten included salt, processed meats and sugary drinks.

Results were published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

On 3/6/17 at 8:43 PM officers with the NPPD responded to a shooting incident at a residence in the 1100 block of west 11th street.

Officers made contact with an 18 year old male victim who had a gunshot wound to his forehead. Medical attention was given by officers until EMT’s arrived. Once the victim was transported to the hospital officers contacted several people who were at the scene. They learned that the suspect in the shooting was Christian Vera who was located in the alleyway behind the residence. Christian was taken into custody without incident. A mid-size handgun was located in the alleyway near Christian.

It was determined based on evidence and witness statements that several individuals were playing video games inside of the residence when Christian Vera produced a handgun to show to the victim. During the process of showing off the handgun Christian negligently discharged one round which struck the victim in the head.

There is nothing to indicate at this time that any disagreement or quarrel occurred prior to the shooting and the incident is believed to be accidental. The suspect and victim are related to one another.

Christian was placed under arrest for 2nd degree assault and use of a weapon to commit a felony. One of the definitions of 2nd Degree Assault in Nebraska is recklessly causing serious bodily injury to another with a dangerous weapon.

It is suspected that the handgun in question was stolen and further follow up is being conducted.

The victim was flown to Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, NE and his current condition is unknown.

No further information is available at this time and the investigation continues.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s corrections director says his department is still struggling to hire and retain prison employees but contends the situation has improved.

Director Scott Frakes made his comments during a budget hearing with lawmakers on Monday. His testimony followed a prisoner uprising Thursday that left two inmates dead at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution, which has more than 50 job vacancies.

Corrections officials have said the prison was adequately staffed at the time. But union officials say prison workers are frequently asked to work overtime because of employee turnover and unfilled jobs, which drains their morale.

Frakes says annual turnover rates for the entire corrections system has fallen from 32 percent to 26 percent over the last four months, but he wants to see an even lower rate.