OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An August survey suggests there will be little or no economic growth over the next three months in a nine-state region of the Midwest and Plains.

A report issued Tuesday says the overall Mid-American Business Conditions Index dropped to 49.6, compared with 50.6 in July.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and South Dakota companies reported growth last month, but businesses in Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota and Oklahoma reported less economic activity,

The survey results from supply managers 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.

A vehicle-pedestrian accident on Monday, August 31, in Lexington, Dawson County, claimed the life of a Lexington woman and critically injured an infant.

Alejandra Zamora, 32, of Lexington was killed and Eileen Arredondo, a female infant she was pushing in a stroller, was critically injured after they were struck by a vehicle. The accident occurred just after dark on North Taft Road near East 13th Street, on the west edge of Lexington.

Troopers, responding to the call just before 9:00 p.m., report the accident occurred when Zamora, along with the infant’s mother, Cindy Arredondo, 24, Lexington, were walking with the infant in a stroller south along N. Taft Road when they were struck by southbound 2007 Chevy Trailblazer.

Zamora, who is the infant’s aunt, was transported to the Lexington Regional Health Center, where she died of her injuries. The female infant, 2 month old Eileen Arredondo after being transported to the local hospital was flown by medical helicopter to Children’s Hospital in Omaha with critical injuries. The infant’s mother, Cindy Arredondo, was not injured.

The driver of the vehicle, Krystal J. Saunders, 25, Lexington, was not injured.

The investigation into the cause of the accident continues. The Nebraska State Patrol was assisted by the Lexington Police Department, Dawson County Sheriff’s Office and Lexington Fire & Rescue.

SIDNEY, Neb. (AP) — A 56-year-old Sidney man has been ruled competent for his sentencing on a murder conviction.

A jury found Larry Martinez guilty in May 2014 of shooting to death Mandy Kershman on July 18, 2012, in Sidney. Martinez had told officers he was angry about a text message she’d sent him. Police say he shot Kershman as he confronted her about it.

After the trial, Martinez’s attorney sought a ruling on Martinez’s competency. He was evaluated by three psychiatric experts. Two said he was incompetent; the third said he was competent.

Last week Judge Derek Weimer of Cheyenne County District Court ruled that Martinez was competent and set a sentencing date of Sept. 9. Martinez’s first-degree murder conviction calls for a life sentence with possibility of parole.

LEXINGTON, Neb. (AP) — A 22-year-old North Platte man accused of child abuse has taken a deal and pleaded guilty to a reduced charge.

Christopher Perez is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 5. He was convicted last week of felony child abuse and tampering with evidence.

At last week’s hearing, County Attorney Elizabeth Waterman said Perez was baby-sitting his girlfriend’s 17-month-old son on Feb. 18, 2014, when the boy was injured. His mother, 21-year-old Kelsey Dangler, found the boy unconscious when she got home.

Dangler also is charged with felony child abuse. Investigators think she noted previous injuries to her son but did not seek medical care for him or report her suspicions to law enforcement. She’s pleaded not guilty.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A host of new laws are taking effect in Nebraska, leading to changes ranging from costlier marriage licenses to expanded opportunities for nonviolent prisoners to be released for parole and probation.

A total of 181 laws took effect Sunday, three months after the Legislature adjourned.

The marriage license change means fees will increase from $15 to $25.

Another new law will increase the use of probation for nonviolent offenders and require supervised release for some felony offenders in an effort to reduce prison overcrowding.

Other laws give nurse practitioners more independence and offer new protections to Native American children at risk of being removed from their homes.

Sunday would have marked the end of Nebraska’s death penalty, but a repeal effort is likely on hold until November 2016.

NEW YORK (AP) — “Straight Outta Compton” marked three consecutive weekends atop the box office, while the Christian drama “War Room” proved an unexpected success.

Universal’s N.W.A biopic grossed an estimated $13.2 million over the weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday. The only other film to lead the box office three straight weeks this summer was “Jurassic World.”

Though the late August weekend held scant competition for “Straight Outta Compton,” ”War Room” nearly matched it. The Sony TriStar release took in $11 million by appealing to faith-based audiences, an often powerful but underserved demographic at the multiplex.

“No Escape,” the Thailand thriller starring Owen Wilson, opened with $8.3 million for the Weinstein Co.

Zac Efron’s electronic dance music drama “We Are Your Friends” bombed. The Warner Bros. release made just $1.8 million.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The new head of the Nebraska State Patrol is defending his proposed outreach program that would encourage on-duty troopers to attend county fairs, public celebrations, sporting events and church services.

Col. Brad Rice, who has been leading the agency since March, remains committed to the idea of the program even though internal emails obtained by the Omaha World-Herald show that it has been criticized by some.

Capt. Lance Rogers told Rice in an email that the public might not support uniformed troopers attending church while on duty.

Rice says he wants troopers to build relationships with the community.

Rice says the program isn’t intended to let troopers attend their weekly church service with their families while on duty. And church attendance is just one part of the program.