BRIDGEPORT, Neb. (AP) — A September trial has been scheduled for a 24-year-old Nebraskan accused of killing a Colorado man and stuffing his body into a barrel that later was found in a western Nebraska creek.

Online court records say Zachary Mueller pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Morrill County District Court in Bridgeport to first-degree murder and related weapons charges. He is accused of killing 33-year-old Pedro Dominguez, of Greeley, Colorado. A farmer found the barrel near Bayard, Nebraska, on Dec. 4. Authorities say Dominguez had been shot in the back of the head.

Mueller’s trial is set to begin Sept. 6.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a Nebraska prison inmate who said he believes in the divine Flying Spaghetti Monster.

Stephen Cavanaugh’s lawsuit was dismissed Tuesday as the judge granted a motion from the state’s attorneys.

U.S. District Judge John Gerrard said in his ruling that “FSMism” is not a religion as outlined by federal law. Gerrard says it is a parody intended to advance an argument about science, the evolution of life and the place of religion in public education.

Cavanaugh filed the lawsuit in 2014, seeking $5 million and a court order mandating that inmates who practice FSMism receive the same rights and privileges as inmates who practice other religions.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska could eliminate a system to seize property from suspected criminals amid concerns it creates an incentive for law enforcement to use a controversial federal process.

Lawmakers voted 38-8 Wednesday on a bill that would require a criminal conviction before law enforcement could seize property. The measure by Sen. Tommy Garrett of Bellevue would also ban property transfers to federal law enforcement unless it’s worth more than $25,000.

Advocates say the bill would ensure police use the state process, which funnels 50 percent of the forfeiture proceeds to Nebraska schools, rather than the federal program, which repays law enforcement up to 80 percent of the money and does not support state schools.

Gov. Pete Ricketts has five days to act on the bill.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Young immigrants who entered the country illegally but were granted lawful status could qualify for more than 100 professional and commercial licenses under a bill approved by Nebraska lawmakers.

Senators passed the measure Wednesday with a 33-11 vote, despite opposition from Gov. Pete Ricketts.

Supporters say that the youths should have access to the licenses so they can work in professions such as teaching and nursing. The bill would apply to youths who came or were brought to the country illegally, but received lawful status under the Obama administration’s deferred-action policy.

Ricketts says the bill is too broad and is unfair to immigrants who followed the legal process to establish residency.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The state’s spending website could publish financial records from dozens more state agencies under a measure passed by Nebraska lawmakers.

Senators gave final approval with a 48-0 vote Wednesday to a bill by Sen. John McCollister of Omaha that would require quasi-public agencies to make their financial records public. Those documents would join the records of all state agencies and the University of Nebraska on the spending website.

If Gov. Pete Ricketts signs the bill, it could affect as many as 24 agencies that are not currently a part of the state’s main accounting system. The agencies include the Nebraska State Fair Board, the Environmental Trust Board and the State Anatomical Board.

The transparency website, www.statespending.nebraska.gov , was created in 2009.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s new top pipeline regulator has agreed to remove himself from working on TransCanada’s application to build the Keystone XL pipeline through the state if the company makes another attempt to do so.

Scott Coburn agreed to the requirement as a condition of his hiring by the Nebraska Public Service Commission on Tuesday. The commission voted 4-1 to make Coburn director of its division that regulates national gas and oil pipelines.

Coburn is a civil engineer who previously worked for TransCanada. The commission’s executive director says he’s confident in Coburn’s integrity.

Commissioner Crystal Rhoades says she gave the dissenting vote because she believes it appears as a conflict of interest.

Pursley says he received about 10 complaints from those who opposed the hire. No public comments were offered regarding Coburn’s hiring at the meeting.

An 18-year-old North Platte woman will have extended visiting hours at the Lincoln County Detention Center after she allegedly brought marijuana and methamphetamine into the facility.

On April 12, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office received a warrant for Katie Schumacher.

At the time, Schumacher was visiting an inmate at the jail via the Video Visitation System.

Deputies made contact with Schumacher and placed her under arrest for the warrant.

A subsequent search of Schumacher’s bag revealed several items of contraband, including marijuana, suspected methamphetamine, and several pills, later identified as Alprazolam.

As a result, Schumacher was also charged with felony possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and possession of marijuana, less than one ounce.

According to Chief Deputy Roland Kramer, more charges may be added, pending the results of laboratory tests.

Bond for Schumacher has not been set.