KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — Kearney is hoping that the state’s largest solar energy array will help attract other technology projects.

Kearney initially developed a 160-acre technology park called Tech One Crossing years ago in a failed bid to bring in a Facebook data center. Now, a 5.8-megawatt electrical generation project worth 5.8-megawattby SoCore Energy is proposed for the park.

While the solar array doesn’t represent a high volume of energy, city leaders believe the project will make Kearney look more attractive to other tech companies and businesses. Kearney Mayor Stan Clouse says many clients considering Tech One Crossing prefer purchasing green energy.

The Kearney City Council will look at a 25-year lease agreement for the solar project on Tuesday.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The university system president is providing extra oversight on spending at the University of Nebraska at Omaha campus that he’s not requiring at the three other university campuses.

President Hank Bounds confirmed that he’s reviewing any new nonroutine expenditure of $10,000 or more. He says the state’s budget bind and particularly tight financial margins at the Omaha campus prompted his move.

Bounds also says the extra oversight is no slight to Omaha’s chancellor, John Christensen, who is retiring in the middle of the year.

Christensen says the directive indeed reflects the state’s budget challenge and also is based on the fact that a new person will be in his office this year.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska state senator who had cybersex with a woman on a state computer is facing criticism again for a retweet suggesting that demonstrators at a women’s march weren’t attractive enough to be sexually assaulted.

Republican state Sen. Bill Kintner of Papillion on Sunday retweeted a comment by conservative personality Larry Elder that mocked three women pictured with signs protesting Donald Trump’s comments about touching women inappropriately. Above the photo, Elder wrote: “Ladies, I think you’re safe.”

Kintner’s retweet drew immediate criticism online and from the Nebraska Democratic Party. The blunt-spoken lawmaker paid a $1,000 fine last year after he admitted to engaging in mutual masturbation on Skype with a woman who tried to blackmail him.

Kintner declined to comment Monday but suggested he would issue a statement later.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts is leading a small group around the second floor of the state Capitol to mark the beginning of a year-long fitness program tied in with the state’s 150th anniversary.

The governor Monday urged Nebraska residents to stay active, whether that consists of walking, biking or yoga.

Ricketts touted a website, NE150Challenge.com, where residents can track their miles and minutes of physical activity and earn virtual badges connected to the state’s sesquicentennial. The site also helps people find parks and trails.

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services CEO says it’s important to exercise with a friend who can provide encouragement.

BELLEVUE, Neb. (AP) — A February conference in Bellevue will provide an overview of state laws applicable to charities and their assets.

The Nebraska attorney general’s office says it will provide experts, and there will be others from other state agencies and the FBI.

The conference is scheduled to run from 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 9 at Bellevue University. Online registration is available at http://bit.ly/2k7GkNf. Call Jon Titus at 402-557-7812 for more registration information.

The conference will cost attorneys $37.50. They will receive continuing legal education credit. The cost for other people is $30.

CAMARILLO, Calif. (AP) — The average price of a gallon of regular-grade gasoline fell just over 1 cent nationally during the past two weeks, to $2.36.

Industry analyst Trilby Lundberg said Sunday that the drop mostly results from a dip in crude oil costs. Lundberg says the current price is 46 cents a gallon above what it was a year ago.

Gas in San Diego was the highest in the continental United States at an average of $2.82 a gallon Friday. The lowest average was in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at $2.05 a gallon.

The U.S. average diesel price is $2.57, up a penny from two weeks ago.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Relatives of a police officer or firefighter who dies on duty could qualify for at least $50,000 from the state under a bill pending before Nebraska lawmakers.

The bill set for a hearing Monday would allow a one-time payment of $50,000 to a spouse, child or other designated person. Payouts would increase in tandem with inflation.

The measure by Sen. Matt Hansen of Lincoln comes after Dakota City’s fire department lost three of its members to heart attacks in an 18-month period. It also follows the 2015 death of Omaha police officer Kerrie Orozco of Council Bluffs, Iowa. She was shot and killed while serving an arrest warrant on a gang member.

The bill could see opposition given Nebraska’s projected shortfall of nearly $900 million in the upcoming two-year budget

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska State Treasurer Don Stenberg says more than $16.3 million was returned to owners of unclaimed property in 2016 — a record.

Stenberg says the amount returned last year exceeded the previous record of $14 million set in 2008. The state’s unclaimed property program began in 1969.

A total of 16,984 claims were paid in 2016. The largest claim paid was for two trusts valued at a total of $1.2 million for an Omaha couple. The average claim in 2016 was $962.

Examples of unclaimed property include health claim payments, dividends, life insurance proceeds, stocks, safety deposit boxes and unused gift certificates.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska students in seventh and eighth grades can get a shot at writing their way to a $2,000 college scholarship.

Nebraska State Treasurer Don Stenberg and the Omaha Storm Chasers minor league baseball team are sponsoring the 15th annual contest, in which participants write an essay about why they want to go to college.

Winners will receive Nebraska Educational Savings Trust scholarships ranging from $500 to $2,000. Nebraska winners also will receive tickets to the May 21 Storm Chasers game at Werner Park in Papillion. In all, 12 winners will be selected — nine from Nebraska and three from outside the state.

Entries are due March 17. Last year, a total of 1,133 entries were received.