LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — An annual survey of Nebraska business and community leaders says workforce issues continue to rank as that group’s biggest concern.

The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry said Monday that 45 percent of survey respondents identified workforce quality and availability as the top issue facing their business or organization.

The survey was conducted from late August through October as part of 30 chamber legislative forums held in 28 communities. The forums were attended by more than 1,450 Nebraska residents, including 36 state lawmakers.

Workforce issues have now been listed as the primary concern for four consecutive years. Employer challenges include too few applicants and a lack of necessary skills and training among the available workforce.

Taxes and regulation were also identified as a key challenge.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Opponents of the Keystone XL pipeline are criticizing developer TransCanada’s request for a delay in the State Department’s review to allow Nebraska regulators can examine the route.

The group Bold Nebraska said in a statement Monday that neither President Barack Obama nor the State Department is obligated to grant the request.

Bold Nebraska has alleged the company is trying to run out the clock on Obama’s presidency in hopes that a Republican might win the 2016 presidential election.

TransCanada has said it applied for approval with the Nebraska Public Service Commission because of ongoing legal challenges to the pipeline route that former Gov. Dave Heineman approved in 2013.

Jane Kleeb of Bold Nebraska contends the company is scrambling because it fears Obama will reject its request for a presidential permit.

COURTESY OF THE NORTH PLATTE POLICE DEPARTMENT

10/30/2015 00:25:39 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “1400 S DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 01:54:47 BURGLARY “600 RODEO RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 01:57:15 DRIVING UNDER SUSPENSION “S TABOR AV /E PHILIP AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 04:42:36 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “200 JAMES AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 04:49:59 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “5400 E Lee Bird Dr
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 07:20:31 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “LEE BIRD FIELD,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 07:48:01 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “1100 S Tabor AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 08:21:48 FAMILY DIST-NO ASSAULT “500 W 3RD ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 08:46:23 CITIZEN ASSIST “1100 E 6TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 09:05:55 CRIMINAL MISCHIEF “2200 W 3RD ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 09:07:18 FINAN TRANS DEV- UNAUTH USE OF “1000 S DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 10:09:48 ASSIST FIRE DEPT “2900 W E ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 11:32:56 PROP DAMAGE-NO ALC RELAT “E C ST /S SILBER AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 11:36:32 PREF RIGHT OF WAY-STOP AND YIELD SIGNS “W A ST / MCDONALD RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 11:36:02 THEFT BY EXER CONTROL- FROM MOTOR VEHICLE “2000 W 4th
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 13:19:53 NP CITY MINOR IN POSS OF TOBACCO-CITY “1200 W 2ND ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 13:22:14 ANIMAL COMPLAINT OTHER “1400 N SYCAMORE ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 13:35:28 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “400 E 6TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 14:12:25 CAT-STRAY FR CITIZEN NORTH PLATTE NE 69101

10/30/2015 14:14:38 CAT-STRAY FR CITIZEN “1400 N SYCAMORE ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 14:15:46 OPER OF VEH WITHOUT REG-IN TRANSIT “800 N Poplar
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 14:24:12 TRAFFIC ENFORCE GENERAL “400 N Poplar
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 15:27:22 INJUR ACCID-NO ALC RELAT “MCDONALD RD / SUNSET DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 15:31:27 THEFT BY EXER CONTROL- ALL OTHER “2000 W 4TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 15:33:14 FAILURE TO YIELD ROW “W 3rd /N Lincoln
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 15:50:00 PROP DAMAGE-NO ALC RELAT “N ADAMS AV / RODEO RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 15:58:52 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “300 S VINE ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 16:52:38 SUSPICIOUS PERSON “1500 S JEFFERS ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 17:05:20 ANIMAL COMPLAINT OTHER “1400 N SYCAMORE ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 18:20:08 SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE “500 RODEO RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 19:09:06 LOUD MUSIC “2300 W 15th ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 19:24:20 ASSIST OTH LAW ENF “W 9TH ST /N VINE ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 19:28:48 HARRASS-ANNOY PHONECALLS “1300 E G ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 19:42:55 SUSPICIOUS PERSON “1400 S DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 20:03:59 OTHER DISTURBANCE “100 S JEFFERS ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 20:34:14 MOTORIST ASSIST “700 E PHILIP AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 21:02:59 MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS “E D ST /S DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 21:16:33 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “1 NORTH PLATTE
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 21:51:02 CITIZEN ASSIST “700 W 4TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 23:00:17 THEFT BY EXER CONTROL- FROM MOTOR VEHICLE “W 5TH ST /N MAPLE ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 23:04:01 DISTURBING THE PEACE AND QUIET “2200 W 4TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 23:09:30 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “900 S TAFT AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 23:13:35 PROP DAMAGE-NO ALC RELAT “E 6TH ST /N TABOR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/30/2015 23:57:55 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “AIRPORT,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 00:19:07 NO LICENSE PLATES 60 323 “100 E 8TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 00:21:48 WATCH FOR/INFORMATION “RODEO RD /N BUFFALO BILL AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 00:32:55 MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS “RODEO RD /N CARR AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 01:13:56 MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS “100 W 4TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 01:48:50 WRONG WAY ON ONE WAY “E 6TH ST /N JEFFERS ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 02:34:06 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “AIRPORT,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 02:43:12 DISTURBING THE PEACE AND QUIET “600 E 5TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 02:57:50 HARRASS-ANNOY PHONECALLS “1600 N JACKSON AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 08:28:26 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “LEE BIRD FIELD,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 09:08:18 LOOSE ANIMALS “1400 E 8TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 09:39:54 ANIMAL COMPLAINT OTHER “200 W FREMONT DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 09:58:05 TRAFFIC HAZARD “2400 RODEO RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 10:08:16 CITIZEN ASSIST “1200 N JEFFERS ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 10:37:53 INJUR ACCID-NO ALC RELAT “W 10TH ST /N ELM ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 12:02:13 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “700 S CHESTNUT ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 12:15:18 ANIMAL COMPLAINT OTHER “400 N GARFIELD AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 12:40:55 OTHER DISTURBANCE “800 S Dewey ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 12:50:51 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “500 RODEO RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 12:54:32 PROP DAMAGE-NO ALC RELAT “2400 S NEWBERRY RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 12:56:33 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “2300 E PHILIP AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 13:01:59 CITIZEN ASSIST “400 HAHN AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 13:32:00 THEFT BY SHOPLIFTING “1400 S DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 13:45:50 LOOSE ANIMALS “NORTH PLATTE,
1 NORTH PLATTE
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 14:18:39 FAMILY DIST-NO ASSAULT “S TABOR AV /E 4th ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 14:20:58 SUSPICIOUS PERSON “200 E LEOTA ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 14:48:34 2ND DEGREE CRIMINAL TRESPASS “400 E 3RD ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 15:09:15 H&R ACC-NO ALC RELATED “N AUGUSTA AV /W 10TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 15:44:55 ILLEGAL TURN “E 5TH ST /N JEFFERS ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 15:46:18 BARKING DOGS “1400 BURLINGTON BL
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 15:50:40 ASSIST FIRE DEPT “1500 E 4TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 15:57:23 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “400 W 11TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 16:11:46 2ND DEGREE CRIMINAL TRESPASS “3300 W 2ND ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 16:38:58 CRIMINAL MISCHIEF “1100 E 2ND ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 16:54:36 CRIMINAL MISCHIEF “1000 E 2ND ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 17:12:58 VIOL TRAFFIC CONTROL DEV “Buffalo Bill / Cedarberry RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 18:25:23 MOTORIST ASSIST “N JEFFERS ST /E 12TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 18:26:26 TRAFFIC ACCIDENT-GENERAL “S JEFFERS ST /W PHILIP AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 18:56:07 MOTORIST ASSIST “E A ST /N BAILEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 19:11:34 DISTURBING THE PEACE AND QUIET “1600 E D ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 19:07:50 2ND DEGREE CRIMINAL TRESPASS “1400 S Dewey ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 19:32:29 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “1200 E 6th ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 19:42:33 PROP DAMAGE-NO ALC RELAT “W PHILIP AV /S BUFFALO BILL AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 19:58:06 EXPIRED PLATES/REGISTRATION “E WILLIAM AV /S DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 20:30:14 OTHER DISTURBANCE “200 S CHESTNUT ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 20:33:52 LOST PROPERTY “400 E 6TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 21:24:12 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “W 4TH ST /N ADAMS AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 22:15:21 SUSPICIOUS PERSON NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

10/31/2015 22:54:04 SPEEDING “RODEO RD /N MILES AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 22:57:09 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “500 E WALKER RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 23:14:07 WRONG WAY ON ONE WAY “100 S Jeffers
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 23:21:35 ALARM – OTHER “1000 S DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 23:28:46 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “AIRPORT,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 23:46:39 PROP DAMAGE-NO ALC RELAT “NEWBERRY / I80
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

10/31/2015 23:55:13 TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS “Francis ST / Jeffers ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 00:04:31 CITIZEN ASSIST “1202 s Jeffers ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 00:07:47 NO PROOF OF INSURANCE “S SYCAMORE ST /W E ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 01:02:04 HARRASS-ANNOY PHONECALLS “1400 N TAFT AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 01:10:51 TRAFFIC HAZARD “E 4TH ST /N POPLAR ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 01:13:58 OTHER DISTURBANCE “2200 E 4TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 01:19:58 FAILURE TO SIGNAL TURN “E 12TH ST /N JEFFERS ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 01:17:15 CITIZEN ASSIST “W 4TH ST /N ASH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 01:45:32 SPEEDING “E 10TH ST /N SILBER AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 01:51:39 NO PROOF OF INSURANCE “W 9TH ST /N WILLOW ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 01:05:28 SUSPICIOUS PERSON “E E ST E /S COTTONWOOD ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 01:15:29 VIOL TRAFFIC CONTROL DEV “S Dewey ST /E PHILIP AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 01:27:49 WELFARE CHECK “1100 S TABOR AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 01:39:50 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “AIRPORT,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 01:40:57 LOUD MUSIC “1000 E 10th ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 02:13:39 MOTOR VEH LIGHT REQUIREMENTS “E C ST /S DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 07:50:48 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “LEE BIRD FIELD,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 07:57:40 FOUND PROPERTY “E 4TH ST /N POPLAR ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 07:58:51 ANIMAL TRAP “800 W WILLIAM AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 08:00:36 CITIZEN ASSIST “1 NORTH PLATTE
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 09:48:23 72 HR PARKING VIOLATION “E G ST /S BELMONT AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 10:21:34 CRIMINAL MISCHIEF “500 W 1ST ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 10:37:25 OTHER DISTURBANCE “1600 E D ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 11:12:01 BARKING DOGS “S POPLAR ST /E PHILIP AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 11:55:21 LOOSE ANIMALS “2100 E D ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 12:01:42 CITIZEN ASSIST “1400 Rodeo RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 15:33:34 LOOSE ANIMALS “2000 W D ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 15:55:07 LOOSE ANIMALS “1800 W E ST E
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 16:18:16 PREF RIGHT OF WAY-STOP AND YIELD SIGNS “W B ST / CIRCLE DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 16:30:38 HARRASS-ANNOY PHONECALLS “1600 JACKSON AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 16:48:15 OTHER DISTURBANCE “700 S GRIFFITH AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 17:38:37 CITIZEN ASSIST “1000 S Tabor AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 18:55:11 CITIZEN ASSIST “1200 S OAK ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 19:13:20 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “1700 W 13TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 19:23:18 OTHER DISTURBANCE “500 E WALKER RD
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 19:42:47 WELFARE CHECK “900 N DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 21:05:57 OTHER DISTURBANCE “615 E 9TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 21:18:21 ASSIST OTH LAW ENF “900 N JEFFERS ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 21:29:58 SUSPICIOUS PERSON “100 W 10TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 21:53:15 SUSPICIOUS PERSON “E PHILIP AV /S CHESTNUT ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 22:06:21 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “1800 W 2ND ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 22:50:49 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “1800 N SHERIDAN AV
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 23:01:46 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “W 3RD ST /N OAK ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 23:11:45 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “600 W LEOTA ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/01/2015 23:34:49 FIGHT-NO ASSAULT “2000 W 5TH ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/02/2015 00:11:46 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “AIRPORT,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/02/2015 00:41:50 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY “1400 S DEWEY ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/02/2015 02:55:54 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “AIRPORT,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/02/2015 03:06:18 WELFARE CHECK NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101

11/02/2015 07:06:33 ALARM-GENERAL “100 E C ST
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

11/02/2015 07:47:02 AIRPORT SECURITY CHKPOINT “LEE BIRD FIELD,
5400 E LEE BIRD DR
NORTH PLATTE, NE 69101”

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A new state audit says poor oversight and communication have contributed to financial problems in Nebraska’s prison system.

The report released Monday says the Department of Correctional Services paid nearly 59,000 hours of unnecessary overtime between July 1, 2013, and Dec. 31, 2014, totaling more than $1 million.

It also faults the department for overpaying nearly $370,000 because it lacked procedures to ensure that inmate medical claims from off-site providers were proper.

Nebraska’s prison system has faced scrutiny because of chronic overcrowding, prison sentences that were miscalculated and a scandal involving the release of Nikko Jenkins, an inmate who later killed four people in Omaha.

The report says the problems occurred before the current corrections director, Scott Frakes, was appointed to his job.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Tracking calories at chain restaurants is supposed to become easier next year, but new studies raise questions about whether the counts actually make a difference for diners and eateries.

Some restaurants already post calorie counts. New York City was first in the country to require it, and six years later researchers say seeing the caloric consequences didn’t automatically lead to leaner choices.

New York University researchers used receipts and surveys at McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC and Wendy’s to track customer purchases. In New York City where menus were labeled, calories averaged between 804 and 839 per meal, essentially the same as the 802 to 857 calories at fast-food locations in New Jersey that didn’t post calorie content.

Beginning in December 2016, chain restaurants and certain other retailers that sell prepared food will have to list calorie content on their menus.

As to whether consumers will take notice, researchers reported Monday that just over a third of customers noticed calorie counts on the chains’ menus last year, compared with about half when the law took effect in 2008, and 9 percent claimed to use them to order fewer calories.

There may be greater effect at different kinds of restaurants, cautioned associate professor Brian Elbel of NYU Langone Medical Center.

A second study, also in the journal Health Affairs, raises the possibility that menu labeling might have more of an effect on what restaurants offer than on customer ordering habits.

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University used a database that collects calorie content from 66 large U.S. chains to compare menus from restaurants that voluntarily list calorie counts in all their locations around the country — McDonalds, Chick-Fil-A, Panera Bread, Starbucks and Jamba Juice — with the rest.

Menus of the voluntarily posting chains averaged nearly 140 fewer calories per item, researchers reported.

While these restaurants do boast calorie-packed products, “there are more healthier options on those menus” that bring down the per-item average, said study co-author Julia Wolfson, a fellow at Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

She couldn’t tell whether those chains had more lower-calorie items all along or introduced them ahead of menu labeling. But new items they introduced in 2014 had nearly 110 fewer calories on average than competitors’ new menu items, she said.

Calorie counts aside, a third study shows parents will order healthier kids’ options. Tufts University researchers examined purchases at 13 Silver Diner locations after the regional chain changed its kids menu in 2012, adding healthier entrees and sides and removing fries and soda, which could be substituted upon request.

More than half of kids’ orders contained fries before the menu change. That dropped to 21 percent over the past year, while nearly two-thirds instead came with strawberries.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska prison officials unsuccessfully tried to buy an execution drug from a Mississippi-based company after trying for months to get it from a distributor in India.

Documents obtained by The Associated Press show that Nebraska ordered about $825 worth of pancuronium bromide last month from Gulf Coast Pharmaceuticals Plus, a company connected to a firm that faced disciplinary action in other states.

The order was cancelled because the company didn’t have the muscle relaxant in stock. Nebraska had already spent $26,000 to buy 1,000 doses it hasn’t been able to import from an Indian distributor.

The documents reflect problems death-penalty states face amid a national shortage of the drugs. They also show Nebraska is trying to obtain execution drugs despite an ongoing fight over abolishing the death penalty in Nebraska.

 

The American Red Cross is asking people to give blood to give thanks this month.

The organization will conduct a blood drive at North Platte Community College from9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9. The drive will be in the student lounge in the W.W. Wood Building on NPCC’s North Campus.

“Blood donations often decline from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day,” said Amanda Koubek, account manager for the American Red Cross. “Donors are needed in the weeks leading up to the holidays to help prevent a seasonal decline. After all, patients don’t get a holiday from needing blood products.”

Like the emergency room of a hospital, the Red Cross must be prepared to respond to the blood needs of patients 24/7. It’s the blood already on the shelves that helps save lives.

There is a constant, often critical, need for type AB plasma. Type AB donors have a universal plasma, which can be given to patients of all blood types.

Similarly, Type O negative is the universal blood type and can be transfused to patients with any blood type. Types A and B negative can be transfused to Rh positive or negative patients.

Walk-ins will be welcome at the NPCC blood drive. Appointments can be scheduled online at redcrossblood.org with the sponsor code “npccknights,” by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and by contacting Ryan Glenney at (563) 260-4115 or[email protected].

Appointments can also be scheduled by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App. It’s available by texting “BLOODAPP” to 90999 or through a search for “American Red Cross” in app stores on smartphones.

Those who use the tool will be able to view their health history, including blood pressure, hemoglobin levels and pulse rate, on their digital donor ID card in addition to tracking their donations.

People are encouraged to complete a RapidPass prior to the blood drive to save time. RapidPass allows donors to complete the required reading and health history questionnaire online. It can be accessed at www.redcrossblood.org/RapidPass.

A North Platte woman is facing a theft charge after she allegedly stole a man’s ball cap from the Lincoln County Detention Center.

On October 12, a citizen came into the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and asked to speak to a deputy regarding a theft.

The man told the deputy that he had been visiting a loved one at the Lincoln County Detention Center and had left his ball cap on a counter at the jail.

He stated that when he returned to retrieve the cap, he discovered that it was missing.

Deputies reviewed security footage and observed a woman taking the cap. Employees at the jail were able to positively identify the woman as 21-year-old Nicole Vargas.

A deputy made contact with Vargas, who stated that she thought the cap had been left behind by a friend of hers.

According to authorities, the deputies did not buy Vargas’ story and cited her for theft by unlawful taking.

The cap was returned to the victim.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Three Nebraska hospitals are among those that have settled federal complaints about violations of Medicare rules regarding a cardiac device.

CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney and CHI Health St. Elizabeth and CHI Health Nebraska Heart Hospital in Lincoln are three of 17 hospitals operated by Catholic Health Initiatives that were part of the $250 million national settlement announced last week.

The settlements with the U.S. Justice Department encompass nearly 500 hospitals that violated coverage rules by implanting cardioverter defibrillators in Medicare patients too soon after certain procedures.

Catholic Health Initiatives paid $7.8 million overall but has not disclosed the amounts for each hospital. CHI says the lawsuit boiled down to billing criteria and that no patients got inappropriate or substandard care.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Figures have plunged in a third straight monthly survey of supply managers in nine Midwest and Plains states, providing more evidence of a slowdown in the region’s economy.

A report issued Monday says the overall Mid-American Business Conditions Index dropped to 41.9 last month, compared with 47.7 in September and 49.6 in August.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he again cites the strong U.S. dollar and global economic weakness among the reasons for the region’s economic slide.

The survey results are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests economic growth. A score below that suggests decline.

The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.