LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A district judge has issued an order to block a Nebraska prison policy that prevented two inmates from marrying.

Lancaster County District Judge Robert Otte on Tuesday found the prison’s argument to be “constitutionally flawed” and ordered prison officials stop enforcing its policy.

According to a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska, inmates Paul Gillpatrick and Niccole Wetherell had their request to marry denied because corrections officials had been unwilling to transport either of them to the other prison for a wedding ceremony, or allow them to marry via video. Corrections officials argue state law requires married couples to be in the same room for the ceremony.

Otte said the prison policy was based on its own interpretation of a statute about weddings, which isn’t under its direct purview.

North Platte High School’s journalism students earned 12 top awards in the Nebraska Journalism

Education Association (JEA) 2015 winter contest. Editor­in­chief Ethan Darling said he is proud of his team’s dedication to the program. “Going into this, we didn’t really know how well we would compete with the other publications around the state,” Darling said.

The North Platte High School Bulldogger staff earned recognition in nearly every category they competed in winning Superior, Excellent and Honorable Mention ranks.

“I was hoping we would earn an award or two in this contest, but when I saw how well the staff did, I was elated!” journalism adviser Lori Larson said.

Darling said his goal this year has been to inform the public about more pressing issues. “We started tackling real issues that actually affect the student body,” he said. He also said the higher quality publications are a result of the students’ strong work ethic. Larson said the students are well­deserving of their recognition. “These students work just as hard and effectively has professional reporters.”

Darling said he is grateful for the opportunity to work in the journalism program. “It has been one of my most important classes in my entire high school career,” he said.

The journalism staff were allowed to submit work in up to 21 categories for pieces that were completed before December 2015.

Entries from each category were judged by professional journalists, college students in journalism programs, and veteran high school advisers from across the nation.

The NPHS students were honored for their reporting, editorials, and design pieces.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A bill that would ban small, flame-powered paper air balloons in Nebraska is headed to a final vote in the Legislature.

Senators gave the measure second-round approval Thursday with a voice vote.

The bill’s advocates say the so-called flying lanterns create dangerous fire hazards if they land in neighborhoods or dry fields. If the bill passes, violators would face a $100 fine.

The lanterns are made of flame-retardant paper and lifted by hot air from open flames at their bases. They’re often released into the sky at memorials or celebrations. Hot air balloons large enough to carry people would not be included in the ban.

Sen. Jerry Johnson of Wahoo has designated the bill his priority this session.

DETROIT (AP) — Another problem has developed with automotive air bags, this one resulting in recalls of 5 million vehicles.

Continental Automotive Systems says in documents filed with the government that moisture can get inside its air bag control computers, causing the power supplies to corrode and fail. If that happens, air bags may not inflate in a crash or they could deploy without a crash.

Documents say Continental will notify automakers, who will recall cars dating to 2006. Already Honda, Fiat Chrysler and Mercedes have issued recalls.

Automakers will replace the computers at no cost to owners.

The announcement comes in the middle of a recall crisis involving Takata Corp. air bag inflators. About 24 million U.S. vehicles are being recalled for that problem. It’s the largest automotive recall in U.S. history.

CHADRON, Neb. (AP) — A plea deal has been reached for a Tennessee man accused of sexually assaulting a student at Chadron State College in northwest Nebraska in 2014.

A trial scheduled to begin last week for Timothy Jungquist was canceled, and court records show a new plea hearing is set for Feb. 12. Jungquist, of Nashville, in November pleaded not guilty to false imprisonment and forcible sexual assault.

Authorities say a student contacted Chadron police on Oct. 7, 2014, saying she’d been sexually assaulted two days earlier in Andrews Hall on the campus. Jungquist soon was arrested. He was a Chadron State student at the time.

COZAD, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a man has died after being struck by a train in Cozad.

The accident occurred a little before noon Wednesday. Police say the man was walking alongside the tracks when he was struck. Investigators say he was talking on a cellphone and may not have noticed the approaching train.

The man has been identified as 51-year-old Johnny Frees, who lived in Cozad.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Hunters and anglers in Nebraska might have to pay more for permits under a bill that has won support from sporting groups, conservationists and the tourism industry.

The groups argued during a legislative hearing Wednesday that the measure would help the Game and Parks Commission pay its operational costs, which have risen because of private land donations and the growing popularity of trails and outdoor recreation.

The measure by Sen. John McCollister of Omaha would increase the caps on various fees the commission can charge under state law.

McCollister says most of the caps have been in place since 2003, and the commission’s activities generate significant economic benefits for the state.

Supporters included the Nebraska Tourism Association, the Nebraska Sportsmen’s Foundation and Audubon Nebraska.

The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to help ensure a sufficient blood supply for patients by giving blood this February.

During the winter months, inclement winter weather and seasonal illnesses can keep regular donors from giving blood. Healthy donors of all blood types are needed to help maintain an adequate blood supply for patients in their own communities as well as areas where donors were unable to give due to severe winter weather. Individuals with types O, AB, B negative and A negative blood are especially needed.

Donor Loretta Brandon knows how important it is to have a readily available blood supply. Her late husband required transfusions from generous strangers multiple times for health conditions. She gives blood as often as she can. “Every time I give blood, I am filled with a sense of gratitude for all I have and for the fact that I can share with others,” she said.

Make an appointment to help maintain an adequate blood supply for patients in need this winter by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Furnas County

Oxford

Feb. 18: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., South Valley High School, 43739 Highway 89

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Hayes County

Hayes Center

Feb. 25: noon to 6 p.m., Hayes Center Elementary School, 300 Daniels St.

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Hitchcock County

Trenton

Feb. 29: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Hitchcock County High School, 318 West D St.

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Keith County

Ogallala

Feb. 22: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Ogallala High School, 6th and East G St.

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Lincoln County

North Platte

Feb. 15: noon to 6 p.m., Eagles Club, 620 N. Chestnut

Feb. 16: 1 – 7 p.m., Messiah Lutheran Church, 2700 West A St.

Feb. 18: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., American Red Cross, 1111 S. Cottonwood

Feb. 25: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., American Red Cross, 1111 S. Cottonwood

Feb. 26: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., American Red Cross, 1111 S. Cottonwood

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Red Willow County

Mc Cook

Feb. 23: 12:30 – 6:30 p.m., McCook Community Building, 1412 W. 5th

Feb. 24: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., McCook Community Building, 1412 W. 5th

Feb. 25: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Pete and Dolores Graff Event Center, 401 E. M St.

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How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.