LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A study of Nebraska’s corrections department has identified worker pay, safety and communication from leaders as major problems within the agency.

The “culture study” released Wednesday is part of a larger effort to reduce employee turnover and avoid dangerous situations in Nebraska’s prison system. Staffing shortages, mandatory overtime and inexperienced workers have been cited as factors contributing to a poor job environment.

Corrections Director Scott Frakes says the study confirms many of the concerns he has heard since he took the job in 2015, and will help him focus on areas needing improvement.

The study included responses from 471 of roughly 2,200 department employees. Sharon Rues Pettid, the governor’s chief human resources officer, says the response rate was higher than expected.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Figures from a survey of supply managers in nine Midwest and Plains states have risen, suggesting economic growth ahead.

A report issued Wednesday says the Mid-American Business Conditions index hit 52.1 in May, compared with 50.1 in April and 50.6 in March.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says the region’s manufacturing sector is expanding.

The survey results are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests economic growth. A score below that suggests decline. The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

One man is dead and another was seriously injured in an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) accident southeast of North Platte.

At around 11:15 p.m., on May 31, deputies with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office responded to the report of an ATV accident on South Miriam Road and East Meadow Lawns Road.

It was reported that two males were injured.

Deputies and the North Platte Fire Department arrived on the scene and found that the driver of the ATV, 49-year-old Martin C. Porter, of North Platte, was deceased.  The passenger, a 48-year-old male, sustained serious injuries and was taken to Great Plains Health by ambulance.

Investigators determined that Porter was driving the ATV northbound on Miriam Road and attempted to turn east on Meadow Lawns Road.  They say Porter was unable to negotiate the corner, causing the vehicle to roll.

According to Chief Deputy Roland Kramer, seatbelts were not in use and investigators believe alcohol may have been a factor in the crash.

The investigation is ongoing, according to Kramer.

Great Plains Health Care Foundation is pleased to bring National Speaker Alan Pedersen to North Platte to present to those who have experienced loss and those who work with loss.

Alan Pedersen is a leading authority on the subject of grief and loss. Alan is currently the executive director of The Compassionate Friends, the largest grief organization in the world that serves families who are grieving the death of a child, grandchild or sibling.

This event is free of charge and will be held at the North Platte Community College South Campus, Friday, June 10, 7 to 8 p.m. No registration required.

Inspired by his own journey after the death of his 18-year-old daughter Ashley in 2001, Alan has given hope to thousands of grieving individuals.

“We are thrilled to have someone with Alan’s experience and expertise help guide our community towards healing,” said Libby Lashley, Foundation director.

In addition to presenting to the public on June 10, Alan will be working with kids and adults at the Footsteps Camp on Saturday, June 11. Footsteps Camp is a day-long camp focused on children and teens, along with their guardians, who have experienced the death of a loved one. At the camp, all participants will learn about their grief and connect with others who have experienced a loss.

For more information about this event or about the Footsteps Grief Camp, contact Renee Callaghan at 308.696.7434 or callaghanr@gphealth.com.

NEW YORK (AP) — General Mills is recalling about 10 million pounds of its flour over a possible link to an E. coli outbreak in 20 states.

The recall is for several varieties of Gold Medal and Signature Kitchens flour that were sold at Safeway, Albertsons, and other supermarkets. General Mills says E. coli hasn’t been found in any of its flour products, but is still recalling them out of “an abundance of caution.”

The company said Tuesday 38 people were sickened from the December to May. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that half of the people used flour before getting sick, some of which was a General Mills brand. Some may have also eaten raw dough or batter, the Minneapolis food company said.

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A federal appeals court in Virginia says police don’t have to get a search warrant to obtain records about cellphone locations in criminal investigations.

The 12-3 decision Tuesday reverses a ruling last year by a three-judge panel in a case closely watched by privacy rights advocates. The Richmond-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals now agrees with three other federal appeals courts that said police don’t need a warrant for information obtained from cell towers.

The case involved two men convicted of a series of armed robberies in the Baltimore area. Police used cellphone tower records tracking the suspects’ movements to tie them to the crimes.

The appeals court said a person has no expectation of privacy in information voluntarily turned over to a third party.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A new report says special interests spent more than $15.6 million last year trying to influence Nebraska state government officials.

The group Common Cause Nebraska said in its annual report Tuesday that the total is the largest amount ever spent on lobbying. Total compensation for lobbyists increased to $14.5 million in 2015, compared to $13 million the previous year. Money spent on entertainment and gifts reached a new high of more than $396,000.

Last year also saw an increase in the number of groups that hire lobbyists, to a record-high 545.

Jack Gould, the group’s issues chairman, says lawmakers should be compensated through an increased salary to minimize the role that lobbyists play. State senators make $12,000 a year and receive a per diem.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Although rain has slowed progress in some regions of the country, farmers planting corn remain ahead of schedule. Nationally, 94 percent of the crop is planted, two percentage points ahead of the five-year average.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Tuesday virtually all the corn is planted in Iowa and 90 percent of the plants have emerged from the dirt, about five days ahead of average.

Iowa’s soybean planting is 10 percentage points ahead of normal with 88 percent planted.

Nebraska’s corn crop is at 96 percent, near the five-year average and soybean planting is at 73 percent, behind the average of 82 percent.

Rain is presenting challenges in areas of both states and water is reported standing in some fields from the frequent showers and thunderstorms in recent days.