LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Wildlife enthusiasts could show their love for mountain lions with a special license plate under a bill advanced by Nebraska lawmakers.

Senators gave first-round approval Thursday to a measure that would offer “mountain lion conservation plates” through the Department of Motor Vehicles.

The measure would impose a $5 fee for the plate, with the revenue going to a program that educates youth about wildlife conservation. Personalized plates would cost $40.

Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha, well-known animal lover, says he introduced the proposal because of the strong interest in preserving the mountain lion population. Chambers has spent the last several years trying to abolish Nebraska’s mountain lion hunting season.

Senators voted 38-0 to advance the bill.

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — Officials say a $1 million anonymous donation and a $250,000 grant will help Kearney complete a hike-bike trail.

The city announced Tuesday that the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission awarded the grant.

The trail will run more than 13 miles, from Cottonmill Park to Fort Kearny State Park. Officials say the 8-foot-wide trail will be made of concrete and have limestone on the side.

The project is expected to be finished by the end of 2016.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s defunct same-sex marriage ban could once again go before voters under a measure that seeks to remove it from the state constitution.

Sen. Burke Harr of Omaha told a legislative committee Wednesday that his proposed amendment would ensure the constitution stays consistent with the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that allowed same-sex marriage.

Voters approved the state’s marriage amendment in 2000, but the court’s decision rendered it unenforceable even though it remains in the constitution.

Conservative family values groups opposed the measure, with one calling it needlessly divisive.

Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha says he supports the amendment but raised concerns that “bigoted” voters would keep it in place, harming the state’s reputation.

Even if voters kept it, the ban would still be unenforceable.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A bill designed to encourage organ donations is headed to a final vote in the Nebraska Legislature.

Supporters gave the measure second-round approval Wednesday after resolving a dispute over whether residents applying for driver’s licenses should be required to answer whether they want to be listed as a donor.

Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha led a filibuster against the initial bill, saying the government shouldn’t force citizens to answer a question at the request of Nebraska’s nonprofit donor registry.

Sen. Dan Watermeier of Syracuse says the newest version of his bill allows residents not to answer. Under the bill, a person’s donor status would remain in effect until revoked or amended. Current law requires license holders to update the status whenever they renew their license.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska could abandon its title as one of only two states without a program to monitor prescription painkillers.

Senators voted 47-0 Wednesday to advance a bill by Sen. Sara Howard of Omaha that would to tighten surveillance of highly abused medications.

The bill would create a free database for medical professionals to check before prescribing or distributing opioid painkillers, preventing addicts from getting prescriptions from multiple doctors and multiple pharmacies.

The system would take effect within two years. Nebraska has received pair of grants from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the Department of Justice for the program.

Missouri is the only other state without a prescription drug monitoring program.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The 28th Governor’s Ag Conference in Nebraska will focus on trade, food transparency and biotechnology.

Gov. Pete Ricketts and Agriculture Director Greg Ibach announced the lineup for this year’s event Wednesday, saying the conference represents a longstanding tradition for expanding Nebraska agriculture through networking and problem-solving.

Ricketts says agriculture is Nebraska’s top industry and its ripple effects are felt through the entire state. The conference will feature speakers from the Center for Food Integrity, Center for Strategic and International Studies and lead meatpacking company JBS USA.

The Celebrate Nebraska Agriculture reception will feature motivational speaker and author Gus Gustafson.

The governor invites anyone interested in agriculture to attend the conference March 2-3 in Kearney. Participants can register on the Department of Agriculture’s website.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts was not injured in a traffic accident that occurred about eight blocks from the Capitol.

The crash occurred around 6:50 a.m. Wednesday. Police say the Nebraska state trooper driving the governor also wasn’t hurt, but the driver of the other vehicle was taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Police suspect the other driver failed to yield the right of way and struck the governor’s van.

A North Platte man has been charged with multiple felonies after he allegedly used a hammer to assault another man.

According to Investigator John Deal, an officer responded to the report of a prior assault in the 2700 block of West 3rd Street, at around 3:18 p.m on January 25.

The officer met with a 21-year-old male victim who had a cut and swelling on the side of his head.

The victim alleged that, on January 19, he was contacted by Emmett Wood who asked him to come over to his residence.  The victim told the officer that he met with Wood, who confronted him about a relationship issue.

At this point, Wood reportedly grabbed a hammer and struck the victim on the side of the head.

Deal said a 3rd person entered the residence and prevented Wood from further assaulting the victim.  The victim then left the scene.

On January 26, officers responded to a business in the 100 block of West 8th Street and made contact with Wood.

He was arrested and jailed on charges of felony 2nd-degree assault and use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony.

Wood was jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center.

A North Platte man has been charged in connection with an alleged assault and shooting.

On January 18, officers with the North Platte Police Department responded to the report of an assault in the 1800 block of West 17th Street.

According to police, a 24-year-old male had been assaulted and was being transported to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

Officers spoke to several witnesses, and it was reported that three males had entered the residence, attacked the victim and left.

The victim suffered multiple abrasions and a gunshot wound to his calf.  According to Investigator John Deal, evidence was collected that indicated the shooting had occurred inside the residence.

On January 27, officers made contact with Daryl Jones, who had an active Lincoln County warrant for felony escape.

As the investigation into the alleged assault progressed, it was determined that Jones had actively participated in the assault, but is not believed to be the individual that fired the gun.

Jones was jailed on the warrant and was also charged with aggravated assault.

The investigation is ongoing.  No other arrests have been reported.