NEW YORK (AP) — A new analysis is challenging the idea that smoking marijuana during adolescence can lead to declines in intelligence.

Instead, the new study says, pot smoking may be merely a symptom of something else that’s really responsible for a brainpower effect seen in some previous research.

Researchers said it’s not clear just what this other factor is.

The study was released Monday by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Researchers looked at data previously collected on 3,066 twins who had taken a battery of intelligence tests at ages 9 to 12, and again at ages 17 to 20.

The study tracked how test scores changed, in both marijuana users and abstainers. Analysis suggested that marijuana use itself made no difference.

COLUMBUS, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s largest public power utility plans to issue about $300 million of fixed-rate, tax-exempt bonds beginning later this month.

The Nebraska Public Power District said the bonds, in $5,000 denominations, will be issued beginning Jan. 26.

The proceeds from the bonds will be used to repay some of NPPD’s existing bonds and to pay financing costs.

The fixed-rate, taxable bonds will be sold to retail and institutional investors.

The bonds will be repaid over a 25-year period. Individuals interested in purchasing bonds should contact their broker.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — After three failed attempts to expand Medicaid under the federal health care law, Nebraska lawmakers will unveil a new proposal this week that would offer private coverage to low-income residents.

The bill is modeled after the so-called private option adopted by Arkansas, which received a federal waiver to spend Medicaid dollars on private insurance.

The plan by Sen. John McCollister of Omaha would cover an estimated 77,000 Nebraska residents whose incomes are too high to qualify for regular Medicaid but too low to receive tax subsidies available through the federal health insurance exchange.

It’s expected to face opposition from Gov. Pete Ricketts and many lawmakers, who argue it’s not sustainable. Ricketts spoke against Medicaid expansion in his State of the State address last week, calling it too risky for taxpayers.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Lost in the arguing over whether women should begin mammograms at age 40 or 50, or somewhere in between, is the issue they’ll all eventually face: when to stop.

It’s an increasingly complex balancing act as older women live even longer. Breast cancer risks increase with age. But so do the odds of having other serious illnesses that may be more likely to kill sooner than cancer.

Medical guidelines don’t agree.

The American Cancer Society says women should continue mammograms as long as their overall health is good and they’re likely to live at least 10 more years.

Just last week, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force said there’s not enough evidence to recommend for or against mammograms at age 75 and older.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Twelve Nebraska cities and one regional utility have decided not to sign new 20-year contracts to buy electricity from the Nebraska Public Power District.

The utilities that rejected NPPD’s proposed contract are taking advantage of the flexibility the power grid offers today to buy electricity from another provider.

The towns that decided to change their electricity provider didn’t want to be locked into such long contracts.

But NPPD says 62 of its 75 wholesale electricity customers did sign new contracts, to it shows the utility still has broad support.

CRAWFORD, Neb. (AP) — A company that runs the Crow Butte uranium mine in the Nebraska Panhandle wants to open as many as three expansion mines in the area.

Applications for the expansion sites near Crawford are under review by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Cameco America spokesman Ken Vaughn says the company hopes to make significant progress this year toward opening one of the new mines, called the Marsland expansion.

Cameco began commercial operation of the Crow Butte mine in 1991, where it employs about 40 people.

The company is seeking the expansion because it says it’s running out of ore, reducing productivity.

Cameco produces uranium concentrate at the Nebraska site, which is then sent to other facilities to be turned into nuclear fuel.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s cigarette tax could increase by $1.50 per pack under a bill proposed to the Legislature.

Sen. Mike Gloor of Grand Island introduced a bill Friday that would increase the state tax per pack of cigarettes from 64 cents to $2.14.

The measure would generate an estimated $120 million, which would be used for property tax relief and a variety of health care programs.

The bill notes that tobacco kills 2,200 Nebraskans a year and price increases are the most effective way to reduce tobacco use, especially among youth.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska senator is seeking legal protections for faith-based welfare agencies that refuse to provide services to same-sex couples.

Sen. Mark Kolterman of Seward introduced a bill Thursday that would prevent the state from slashing an agency’s funding or limiting its contracts if the agency cites a religious objection.

Last year, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services abandoned a policy barring gays and lesbians from becoming foster parents. Kolterman says in some states faith-based groups have been forced to close after refusing to provide welfare services to gay parents.

Kolterman says preserving public and private agencies is essential to finding homes for more than 5,600 kids under state care.