LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Supreme Court has affirmed the conviction of a Guide Rock man who joined his mother in killing her boyfriend’s 68-year-old mother in 2013.

Andrew Casterline was found guilty in December 2014 of first-degree murder, burglary and a weapons crime in the October 2013 slaying of Virginia Barone. His mother, Shelley Casterline, also was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Andrew Casterline argued in his appeal that the evidence was insufficient to convict him and that a district judge erred in allowing some evidence and in using certain language in jury instructions.

The high court disagreed with his assertions in its ruling issued Friday.

His mother lost her own appeal to the Supreme Court last May.

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A North Platte man, who has scuffled with police before, is facing a felony charge following an alleged drunken disturbance on Wednesday afternoon.

At around 4:19 pm, officers with the North Platte Police Department responded to the 100 block of North Ash Street, after it was reported by a neighbor that Dustin Smith was yelling profanities and threatening to assault people.

Officers arrived and witnessed Smith yelling profanities at the neighbor.

According to Investigator John Deal, the officers attempted to get the intoxicated Smith to go inside, but he refused and struggled with officers as they attempted to place him in handcuffs.

When officers attempted to place Smith in the patrol car, Deal said he again struggled and refused to get in.

Eventually, Smith was subdued and transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center.

He’s been charged with disturbing the peace and resisting arrest.  Due to a prior conviction, the resisting arrest charge was enhanced to a felony.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A new warden has been appointed to oversee a southeast Nebraska prison that has faced numerous problems.

Longtime corrections employee and administrator Brad Hansen will begin his new role at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution on Monday. Hansen replaces Brian Gage, who resigned.

The leadership change follows a series of high-profile disturbances at the prison, including a May 10 riot that caused extensive damage and left two inmates dead. Last week, three corrections officers were assaulted.

Hansen began his career with the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services in 1977, as a corrections officer in the Nebraska State Penitentiary. He later became a unit administrator.

Corrections Director Scott Frakes says corrections leaders are held to a high standard, occupying a unique position of trust and responsibility.

DENVER (AP) — Rampant teen sexting has left politicians and law enforcement authorities around the country struggling to find some kind of legal middle ground.

To many public officials, prosecuting students for child porn seems like overkill. But many aren’t ready to let students off the hook altogether.

Dozens of states have adopted or are considering new, more lenient laws that would apply in cases of teenagers sharing nude selfies among themselves.

The debate is underway in Colorado, and it’s revealed deep divisions about how to deal with the phenomenon.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Motorcyclists will go at least another year without the Nebraska wind in their hair as state senators continue to back the state’s mandatory helmet law.

Senators rejected a bill Thursday by Sen. Dave Bloomfield of Hoskins that would have allowed motorcycle riders 21 and older to ride helmetless.

The proposal fell three votes short of the 33 required to end debate and force a vote.

Supporters say riders should have the right to choose in matters of personal safety.

Opponents say the current law saves lives and repealing it would ultimately drive up the state’s Medicaid costs.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A report on preliminary survey findings shows the average value of Nebraska’s agricultural land dropped about 4 percent over the past year — the second decline in as many years.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln survey report says that as of Feb. 1, the statewide land value was $3,135 an acre on average, compared with $3,250 a year earlier and $3,416 in 2014. The decline comes as producers face lower prices for crops and livestock.

Rental rates for dryland and irrigated cropland declined 5 to 10 percent across the state.

Survey respondents included real estate salespeople and brokers, appraisers, bankers and mortgage experts.

PROSSER, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a Kearney man has died in a grain elevator accident.

The accident occurred around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at an elevator just south of Prosser in Adams County. The Sheriff’s Office identified the victim as 41-year-old Jason Weston.

Details about the accident have not been released. Federal safety officials have joined the accident investigation.

CHADRON, Neb. (AP) — The bookstore manager at Chadron State College has been accused of stealing from it.

Chadron police say 25-year-old Sarah Porter was arrested Wednesday and has bonded out of jail. She’s charged with felony theft. A public phone listing for her is not available. Online court records don’t list the name of an attorney who could comment on her behalf.

Police say the company that owns Eagle Pride Bookstore last month reported the possible theft of nearly $10,600 from a store safe since September.