OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A monthly survey of bankers suggests there’s been a slight improvement in the weak economic outlook for rural areas of 10 Western and Plains states.

A report issued Thursday on the Rural Mainstreet Index says it rose to 43.9 this month from 40.9 in May. Survey officials say any score below 50 on any of the survey’s indexes suggests that factor will decline.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says the overall index has remained below growth neutral for 10 months. He says that over the past 12 months, farm prices are down 9.5 percent, grain prices are off 4 percent and livestock prices are down 15 percent.

Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming were surveyed.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Omaha Public Power District has voted to shutter the nation’s smallest nuclear power plant in Fort Calhoun.

The power utility said in a written statement Thursday that the board decided it was in the best financial interest of the utility and its customers to close the Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station by the end of this year.

The utility says the closure is expected to keep the general rate from increasing through 2021.

Once closed, a nuclear plant must undergo a decommissioning process to remove or decontaminate materials and equipment that have been exposed to radioactivity. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission requires decommissioning to be completed within 60 years of a plant’s closure.

Cleaning up the site after its closure is estimated to cost more than $1 billion.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers say the recent escape of two convicted sex offenders highlights larger problems within the state prison system that have not yet been addressed.

Several senators said Thursday that the Department of Correctional Services is under stress because of staffing shortages, overcrowding and a lack of pay increases based on seniority. The department has struggled with employee turnover because of excessive overtime, the stressful environment and better-paying jobs at county jails.

Corrections Director Scott Frakes says prison employees have been reassigned following the escape, but Nebraska State Ombudsman Marshall Lux says that isn’t enough to solve the problem.

The department also announced Thursday that it has invited prison administrators from Virginia to conduct an independent investigation of the escape to determine what went wrong.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The first of five men charged in a deadly Tecumseh prison riot last year has been sentenced to a year in prison.

22-year-old William Harris pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of third-degree assault in the riot that killed two inmates, destroyed portions of the prison and injured two corrections officers and four inmates.

At the time of the riot, Harris was serving a 51- to 74-year sentence for assault and use of a deadly weapon in Douglas County.

Four other prison inmates were charged with assault and related charges following the riot. Law enforcement officials still haven’t arrested anyone in connection with the killing of the two inmates, Donald Peacock and Shon Collins.

Laramie Schlichtemeier is Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2017.

The Ogallala woman was crowned Wednesday night during the first performance of the Buffalo Bill Rodeo in North Platte.

Following four days of competition, Schlichtemeier won the categories of horsemanship, speech, personality, photogenics and congeniality.

Carly Woerman, of North Bend, won the appearance and written test categories and earned the title of first-runner up. She will fulfill the duties of queen if, at any point, Schlichtemeier is unable to do so.

A Rising Star award was also given this year. It went to Leanna Gubbels, of Laurel.

Schlichtemeier’s prizes include thousands of dollars in scholarships (including a two-year, renewable full tuition scholarship to Mid-Plains Community College), a tiara, a saddle, a buckle, chaps, tack and jewelry, among many other items.

She will remain a lady-in-waiting until January. That will give Emily Taylor, Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2016, time to compete at the Miss Rodeo America Pageant at the end of this year.

Schlichtemeier’s job until then will be to prepare for her reign and fill in at rodeos, parades and other events Taylor is unable to attend.

Schlichtemeier attends Chadron State College. She plans to graduate in December with a degree in business administration and an emphasis in agri-business.

“My career goal is to have a positive impact on farmers, ranchers and the people who have chosen one of the most important career fields in the world,” said Schlichtemeier. “I am leaning toward pursuing a position as an agricultural loan officer in a financial institution. In that role, I feel I can help expand and further develop a dynamic and crucial industry for future generations.”

Schlichtemeier loves anything that has to do with horses, hunting, fishing and Nebraska attractions and also enjoys volunteering for community service projects. Her parents are Jeff and Shari Schlichtemeier.

North Platte firefighters responded to a structure fire at D and Chestnut Streets just before 6:30 a.m.

City Fire Marshal George Lewis says it appears the fire was electrical in nature.

Lewis said the fire started in the attic of structure and was contained to the attic for the most part. The structure had a low roof, and Lewis said that made it somewhat difficult for firefighters to work in the area.

The fire was brought under control at around 6:40 a.m.

Both residences were occupied at the time of the fire, but Lewis said everyone was able to get out safely and no injuries were reported.

There have been no reports on the amount of damage to the structure. Lewis said the smoke damage was minimal because the fire was contained to the attic.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s prison system is planning to spend $1.5 million in an effort to keep quality employees from leaving.

The retention plan announced Wednesday is part of an effort to address the high turnover rate within the prisons, which has led to staffing shortages and less-experienced employees.

The money will help pay for better training and professional development opportunities, resources to cope with the stress of corrections work, better wellness amenities, and a bonus for those who have to commute to the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution an hour south of Lincoln and Omaha. At least $150,000 will be used to retain staff in the department’s Division of Health Services.

Director Scott Frakes says the plan is based on feedback from staff, policymakers and others with a stake in the corrections department.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A southeastern Nebraska district judge has been chosen to serve on the Nebraska Supreme Court.

Gov. Pete Ricketts announced Wednesday that he has appointed Judge Jeffrey Funke of the second judicial district, consisting of Cass, Sarpy, and Otoe Counties.

Funke has been a judge since 2007, when he was named a Sarpy County judge. He was appointed district judge in 2013 by former Gov. Dave Heineman.

Before serving on the bench, Funke worked in private practice, served as a county attorney and as a deputy public defender. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and his law degree from the university’s law college.

Funke will replace Justice William M. Connolly, who retires effective Aug. 1.