CHADRON, Neb. (AP) — A New Zealander has won the World Championship Buffalo Chip Throw during the 40th annual Fur Trade Days celebration in Chadron.

28-year-old Kingi Snelgar, of Oakland, New Zealand, on Saturday tossed a piece of dried bison dung 110 feet, 10 inches to win the men’s 18-and-older division.

Snelgar’s toss fell far short of the individual competition record of 186-7 set by Gary Lackey of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, in 2000 and the 204 feet thrown by Kail Bowman in 1990 during a since-discontinued team event.

The women’s title this year was won by 43-year-old Nicole Bottsford-Miller, of Billings, Montana. Her heave went 84 feet, 2 inches.

The competition drew 111 participants.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A ballot measure that could reinstate Nebraska’s death penalty has survived a legal challenge before the state Supreme Court.

The court on Friday rejected arguments that the ballot petition drive was invalid because Gov. Pete Ricketts wasn’t listed as a sponsor, even though he helped bankroll the effort.

The lawsuit alleged that Ricketts should have been named because of his donations to the Nebraskans for the Death Penalty campaign and his close ties to its managers.

Ricketts denied the allegations, saying his support for the campaign didn’t make him a sponsor. The sponsor requirement is designed to ensure the public knows who is behind a petition drive.

Lawmakers abolished the death penalty in May 2015, overriding Ricketts’ veto and prompting supporters to begin the petition drive.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Omaha taxpayers would subsidize the construction of a new University of Nebraska Medical Center training facility under a new funding plan.

Under a plan approved Wednesday, the city would pay $10.7 million toward the expected $102 million cost of the university’s Global Center for Advanced Interprofessional Learning.

The Omaha Planning Board voted unanimously, with no questions or debate, to recommend that the Omaha City Council approve the proposal. The center would, among other things, offer health care training, education and research with cutting-edge simulation technology. It would be built at 42nd and Emile Streets on the UNMC campus.

Public redevelopment bonds would go toward such costs as demolition of an existing building, extending utilities to the location and adding sidewalks and street lights.

RIVERTON, Neb. (AP) — A former Riverton village clerk has been charged with theft after authorities say she stole almost $16,000 from the village in 2013 and 2014.

31-year-old Kelly Jackson faces up to four years in prison if she’s convicted.

According to court documents, an audit by the Nebraska State Auditor’s office alleges that Jackson paid herself $15,830 more than her monthly approved income of $400.

Several former and current board members told investigators that a village official signed blank checks so Jackson could pay city bills. Officials say that Jackson instead wrote checks to herself.

Jackson is free on $2,500 cash bond. Her arraignment is set for Monday in Franklin County Court.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Ten years after term limits started booting Nebraska senators out of office, the Legislature has changed dramatically and debate still rages over how long they should be able to serve.

Critics say lawmakers spend more time reinventing the wheel and less time developing a long-term agenda or reaching compromises on state policy. Supporters say they helped break a good old boy system in Lincoln that gave too much power to entrenched senior senators.

Voters approved term limits in 2000 with a constitutional amendment that went into effect in 2006, restricting senators to two consecutive four-year terms. Because Nebraska has a one-house Legislature, lawmakers can’t run for office in another chamber as their counterparts in other states do.

CAMARILLO, Calif. (AP) — The average price of gasoline has dropped 7 cents over the past three weeks to $2.29 a gallon for regular grade.

Industry analyst Trilby Lundberg said Sunday that the decline comes thanks to lower oil prices and abundant gasoline supply. She says the current price is 54 cents less than it was a year ago.

The Lundberg Survey found the average price of midgrade unleaded was $2.57 a gallon and $2.78 for premium.

The highest average price for regular gasoline in the Lower 48 was $2.90 a gallon in the San Francisco Bay Area. The lowest was $1.91 in Charleston, South Carolina.

The U.S. average diesel price is $2.41 per gallon, down a penny from two weeks ago.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Time is running out for meat processors to apply for participation in this year’s Hunters Helping the Hungry program.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission says processors have until July 20 to apply. The program allows hunters to donate the deer they kill to Nebraska residents in need. The processors accept the meat and turn it into ground venison before it’s donated.

The application form and program guidelines are available at http://OutdoorNebraska.gov/HHH. The Commission will contact eligible applicants by Aug. 8.

LINCOLN – Today, Governor Pete Ricketts, in accordance with a proclamation from President Barack Obama, announced that all U.S. and Nebraska flags are to be flown at half-staff in honor of the victims of the shooting in Dallas, Texas.

Earlier this morning, Governor Ricketts issued the following statement about the shooting:

“Our hearts go out to the people of ‪‎Dallas and the law enforcement community impacted by last night’s senseless shooting.  Susanne, I, and Nebraskans are praying for the families of the victims and everyone in the community grieving the loss of these brave officers.  We mourn with them and stand with them as they seek healing and unity.”

Flags will be flown at half-staff until sunset on July 12, 2016.  The President’s proclamation can be found here.

AURORA, Neb. (AP) — A judge has rejected challenges by two men charged in a murder-for-hire plot, who argue there in not enough evidence to send their cases to felony court.

37-year-old Robert Honken, of Aurora, and 30-year-old Derrick Shirley, of Bradshaw, argued prosecutors had not shown there was an agreement between them to kill Honken’s wife. A judge disagreed Thursday.

Police say Honken had hired Shirley earlier this year to kill his wife, but that Shirley had backed out. Police say Honken then tried to hire another hitman, who turned out to be an undercover officer.

Shirley is charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder; Honken faces two identical counts.

Honken is set to be arraigned July 15. Shirley’s arraignment is set for Aug. 4.