LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers are weighing two options to decrease the use of mandatory minimum sentences.

A legislative committee heard arguments Wednesday from Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha, who wants to do away with mandatory minimums altogether, and Sen. Paul Schumacher of Columbus, who wants to let a panel of three judges decide whether to enforce the minimum for nonviolent drug offenders.

The state now requires minimum sentences for felonies including robbery, possession of 10 or more grams of certain drugs and assault on a police officer.

The Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorneys Association supports both measures. It says the bill would return discretion to judges and help with prison overcrowding.

The state Attorney General’s Office and Nebraska County Attorneys Association spoke against the bills. They contend mandatory minimums ensure equal treatment under the law.

The North Platte Community Playhouse kicks off the second half of its 2016/2017 season with a classic musical, Disney’s The Little Mermaid.

Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories and the classic animated film, Disney’s The Little Mermaid is a hauntingly beautiful love story for the ages. With music by eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, and a compelling book by Doug Wright, this fishy fable will capture your heart with its irresistible songs including “Under the Sea”, “Kiss the Girl”, and “Part of Your World”.

Performances are February 10, 11, 12, 17, 18 and 19, with Friday and Saturday performances beginning at 8:00 pm and Sunday matinees beginning at 2:00.

Tickets go on sale Monday, February 6, and cost $15 for adults and $8 for students.  Tickets will be available at the NPCP Box Office Monday-Friday Noon to 5:00 pm. online at www.northplattecommuinityplayhouse.com or at the door.

Corporate sponsors are Farm Bureau Financial Services-Jay Engle and Nebraskaland National Bank.

The Cast

Ariel                Nicole Schmidt

Pilot                Tim Scholar

Prince Eric      Matthew Pederson

Grimsby          Justin Morgan

Flounder        Skylar Stethem

Scuttle             Butch Lehmkuhler

Windward      Susan Williams

Leeward         Lou Cox-Fornander

King Triton    Mark Cullinan

Sebastian        Maximus Wohler

Aquata            Marissa Pascoe

Andrina          Jessica Shore

Arista              Kelley Flock

Atina               Keri Fisher

Adella             Lindsey Pederson

Allana             Melissa Mitchell

Flotsam          Tanner Hand

Jetsam             Tia San Miguel

Ursula             Angelina Gradel

Chef Louis      Tyler Cronin

Sailors            John Pettit, Sam Fornander, Malachi Murtagh, Matt Goad

Chefs               Teagan Lovelace, Emily Kammerer, Megan Huddle

Gulls                Seth Vapenik, Hannah Sucraw, Phillip Ryan

Maids              Florence Todd Gonzalez, Ashley Aloi

On Feb. 7, 2017, at approximately 6:07 pm Hall County sheriff’s deputies responded to the area of Highway 2 and Schauppsville Road in reference to a two-vehicle injury accident. This location is approximately 4 miles east of Cairo.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Gov. Pete Ricketts’ plan to cut Nebraska’s top personal income tax rate is drawing a mixed response in a public hearing.

Ricketts presented his measure Wednesday to the Legislature’s Revenue Committee, repeating his argument that it’s necessary to help the state compete with its neighbors.

The state’s leading business groups say a lower tax rate is one factor companies consider when deciding whether to relocate. Opponents of the bill say there’s little correlation between tax rates and economic growth.

Nebraska’s top bracket kicks in at roughly $29,800 for single taxpayers and $59,700 for married couples, but with deductions and credits, many taxpayers would have to earn tens of thousands of dollars more before they could qualify for the cut. People whose taxable income is less would see no savings.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Educators, attorneys and disability rights advocates are speaking out against a bill that would allow Nebraska teachers to physically restrain disruptive students.

Opponents spoke during a Tuesday evening committee hearing on the bill. They say it will harm students and may violate federal law protecting students with disabilities.

The bill would make teachers who use such force immune from legal action and administrative discipline.

Sen. Mike Groene sponsored the measure in response to a 2014 incident in his hometown of North Platte in which a long-time elementary school teacher grabbed an 8-year-old boy’s foot and dragged him about 90 feet.

The bill’s sole supporter, the Nebraska State Education Association, says thousands of teachers have voiced concerns about classroom safety because of disruptive students.

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — Authorities have captured four young people who escaped from the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center in Kearney.

Nebraska Health and Human Services Department spokesman Russ Reno says the four left a classroom at 10:55 a.m. Monday and walked out of the building. Reno says they were captured without incident about 15 minutes later by police and facility staffers, a little more than a mile away.

The four were described only as a 14-year-old, two 17-year-olds and an 18-year-old.

Reno says six youths have escaped from the center and been captured since July, not including the four who fled Monday.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — An investigation into allegations that members of a fraternity made vulgar comments during the Women’s March in Lincoln last month has led the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to suspend the school’s Phi Gamma Delta chapter.

A UNL news release Tuesday says the investigation into those allegations led to discovery of broader conduct issues — including reckless alcohol use.

Juan Franco, UNL’s vice chancellor for student affairs, says the interim suspension will remain in place until the university’s investigation is complete.

The investigation was launched after several people complained that fraternity members made vulgar and sexually harassing comments at participants in the Women’s March on Jan. 21. A Phi Gamma Delta adviser, Joe Skradski, denied those allegations last month.

Skradski did not immediately return a phone message left Tuesday seeking comment on the suspension.