Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Breezy, with a west northwest wind 9 to 14 mph becoming north 16 to 21 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 29 mph.
Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. Northeast wind 6 to 13 mph.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 80. Southeast wind 6 to 11 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. East southeast wind 7 to 11 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. East wind around 6 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska voters can expect to hear a lot about the death penalty this summer from influential people in their communities, from their local church pastor to the county sheriff.

Faith groups and law enforcement are jumping into the debate as petition circulators try to gather enough signatures to place the issue on the 2016 general election ballot.

Law enforcement groups have generally supported the punishment each year when Nebraska lawmakers considered repealing it, while some religious groups spoke against the death penalty.

Both sides are now turning their attention to the public after the Legislature voted last month to abolish capital punishment and supporters launched a petition drive to keep it.

Reports Courtesy of the NWS-North Platte

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 01:52:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Sheridan 19 NW Clinton NE HAIL 1.75 public

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 01:52:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Sheridan 19 NW Clinton NE TSTM WND GST 70 public public estimated wind gust of 70 mph for a couple of minutes.

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 01:52:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Sheridan 19 NW Clinton NE TSTM WND GST 70 public public estimated wind gust of 70 mph for a couple of minutes.

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 01:55:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Sheridan 12 WNW Clinton NE HAIL 1.75 public

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 02:00:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Sheridan 3 E Rushville NE HAIL 1.75 fire dept/rescue delayed report…damage to siding and roof of house.

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 02:01:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Sheridan 5 WNW Clinton NE HAIL 1 public

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 02:03:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Sheridan 6 N Gordon NE HAIL 1 co-op observer very little wind with the hail.

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 02:08:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Sheridan 4 ENE Clinton NE HAIL 1 public

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 02:12:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Sheridan 5 SSE Clinton NE HAIL 1 public

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 02:12:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Sheridan 6 W Clinton NE TSTM WND DMG 0 trained spotter trained spotter reported 40-50 mph winds. several trees were blown over.

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 02:12:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Sheridan 6 W Clinton NE HAIL 1.5 trained spotter

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 02:26:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Sheridan 9 SSE Clinton NE TSTM WND GST 60 public

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 02:26:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Sheridan 9 SSE Clinton NE TSTM WND GST 60 public

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 02:26:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Sheridan 9 SSE Clinton NE HAIL 1.75 public winds on the north side of the residents were all broken out.

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 02:26:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Sheridan 5 SSE Clinton NE HAIL 1 public

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 02:35:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Sheridan 13 SE Clinton NE HAIL 1.75 storm chaser relayed via storm chaser

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 02:35:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Sheridan 14 SSE Clinton NE HAIL 1.75 public

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 02:47:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Cherry 35 SSW Merriman NE HAIL 0.75 public

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 02:54:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Sheridan 35 SW Merriman NE HAIL 1 public

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 03:15:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Cherry 20 NNE Hyannis NE HAIL 1 public

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 03:45:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Hooker Mullen NE HAIL 1 law enforcement a brief period of quarter size hail…then the hail stones were mostly pea size.

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 04:00:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Hooker 7 ESE Mullen NE HAIL 1.75 public

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 07:05:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Cherry 12 W Merriman NE HAIL 1 public time estimated from radar.

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 08:15:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Cherry 8 ENE Merriman NE HAIL 1 public time estimated from radar

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 09:00:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Sheridan 6 N Gordon NE HAIL 1.25 co-op observer

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 09:30:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Cherry 13 SE Gordon NE HAIL 1 public hail at least quarter size

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 09:45:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Cherry 17 SE Gordon NE HAIL 1.75 public hail fell for about 15 minutes

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 11:05:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Hooker 10 SW Mullen NE HAIL 1 public

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 11:10:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Arthur 4 N Arthur NE HAIL 2.5 public window broken…screens knocked out…car damage

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 11:15:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Hooker 12 S Mullen NE HAIL 2 law enforcement window broken out of house…cars stuck on highway 97 due to hail

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 11:15:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Hooker 13 SSW Mullen NE HAIL 1.75 public hail up to golf ball size. wind estimated at 70 mph

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 11:35:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Hooker 20 S Mullen NE HAIL 1 trained spotter also e40 mph winds

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 12:10:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Arthur 4 N Arthur NE HAIL 2.5 public window broken…screens knocked out…car damage

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 12:15:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Arthur Arthur NE HAIL 1.75 co-op observer ping pong to golf ball size hail for 2 to 3 minutes

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 12:45:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Keith 6 NE Paxton NE HAIL 4.25 fire dept/rescue hail up to the size of softballs knocked out all windows on the north side of the house and most windows of the vehicles on the property.

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 13:00:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Lincoln 5 E Paxton NE HAIL 1.75 law enforcement

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 13:03:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Keith 3 E Paxton NE HAIL 2.5 public

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 13:04:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Keith 3 E Paxton NE HAIL 2.5 ship

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 13:04:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Keith Sarben NE HAIL 1.75 public

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 13:10:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Lincoln 3 W Sutherland NE HAIL 4.25 911 call center

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 13:15:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Lincoln 8 SW Sutherland NE HAIL 4.25 public window broken and truck windshield broken

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 13:15:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Lincoln 12 NE Wallace NE HAIL 4.25 public large hail put holes in roof and living room ceiling. all vehicles on property have significant damage.

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 13:20:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Lincoln 15 SW Hershey NE HAIL 2.75 public time estimated by radar. relayed via social media

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 13:25:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Lincoln 7 SW Sutherland NE HAIL 4.25 public all windows on west side of house broken out. roof damage and leaks in a few places. car damage windows broken and dents

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 13:35:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Lincoln 8 N Wallace NE HAIL 1.75 public crop damage to corn and alfalfa. dent damage to vehicles.

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 13:35:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Lincoln Dickens NE HAIL 2.5 fire dept/rescue time estimated by radar

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 13:45:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Keith 6 NE Paxton NE HAIL 4.25 fire dept/rescue hail up to the size of softballs knocked out all windows on the north side of the house and most windows of the vehicles on the property.

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 14:07:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Hayes 16 SW Maywood NE HAIL 1.5 public

LBF Sun Jun 21 2015 14:14:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time) Frontier 11 SW Maywood NE HAIL 1 public

Every now and again, members of NEBRASKAland DAYS look back through the archives and find a glaring problem. Such was the case last Winter as the organization researched

Such was the case last Winter as the organization researched candidates for the Dale Studley Memorial Award.“The award is given to people or organizations that give selflessly of their time and

“The award is given to people or organizations that give selflessly of their time and resources to help our organization,” said Executive Director David Fudge. “Besides our Board of Directors, there is no one single entity that has been more important to the success of NEBRASKAland DAYS than the City of North Platte. It defied logic that the City had never been

It defied logic that the City had never been recognized for their contributions to our success.”

Now in its 48th year in North Platte, NEBRASKAland DAYS has had a wonderful partner in the City of North Platte since the first festival was held in its permanent home in 1968. “I don’t care what it

“I don’t care what it is, if we need something and the City can help, they help,” said Fudge. “From trash receptacles, to barricades, to street sweepers, to logistical support, to financial support, our City has been a great partner.”

The Board of Directors presented the Award to Mayor Dwight Livingston and City Manager Jim Hawks during the Friday night performance of the Buffalo Bill Rodeo. But more

But more than that, the award is presented to the hard-working men and women of the City who put in
countless hours helping NEBRASKAland DAYS operate each and every year.

LINCOLN – Visitors to seven state recreation areas will be allowed to touch off fireworks on Independence Day, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Those visitors should always use caution when lighting fireworks.

Branched Oak State Recreation Area (SRA) near Malcolm, Fort Kearny SRA near Kearney,  Memphis SRA near Memphis, Fremont SRA near Fremont, Two Rivers SRA near Venice, Pawnee SRA near Emerald and Wagon Train SRA near Hickman will permit fireworks from 8 a.m. until midnight on July 4 only. Signs at recreation areas will point the way to designated fireworks sites and their boundaries will be clearly marked. Use of fireworks elsewhere in state areas or at other times is prohibited.

Only fireworks approved for sale in Nebraska by the state fire marshal are permitted, and visitors must pick up expended fireworks and deposit them in appropriate containers. Minor children must be supervised when discharging fireworks. Use, possession and the discharging of fireworks is at the sole risk of the users.

A park entry permit is required for all vehicles entering SRAs.

• Filemon Baptiste Parra-Munoz, 29, North Platte and Nicole Marie Catches, 29, North Platte

 

• Justin Wade Cleveland, 36, North Platte and Ashley Brooke Hill, 29, North Platte

 

• Edward James Vontz, 66, North Platte and Sally Lou Vontz. 65, North Platte

 

• Noel Steven Flaming, 48, Wallace and Elizabeth Marie Neumann, 26, Wallace

 

• Eric Hawk Craven, 29, North Platte and Mariesha Annette Brown, 27, North Platte

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The ACLU of Nebraska has secured $400,000 from a national group to fight a referendum campaign that could reinstate the state’s death penalty.

The group announced the grant Friday from Proteus Action League, a group based in Amherst, Massachusetts that has given millions to organizations seeking to abolish capital punishment.

ACLU of Nebraska Executive Director Danielle Conrad says her group donated the money to Nebraskans for Public Safety, a coalition that is urging Nebraskans not to sign the referendum petition.

Conrad says the support is like “rocket fuel” for the coalition, and will help pay for “fraud watch, grassroots engagement and public education efforts.”

Death penalty supporters launched the petition drive after lawmakers voted in May to abolish the death penalty.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A new report says Nebraska’s unemployment rate rose a tenth of a point to hit 2.6 percent in May but remained the lowest rate in the nation.

The Nebraska Labor Department said in the report released Friday that the preliminary May rate is eight-tenths of a point under the May 2014 rate of 3.4 percent.

The new Nebraska figure remained well below the preliminary national unemployment rate of 5.5 percent in May. U.S. Labor Department figures say Nebraska is trailed by North Dakota at 3.1 percent and Utah at 3.5 percent.

Today: Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 89. South wind 8 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 66. South wind 10 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
Parade Day: Sunny, with a high near 87. North wind 8 to 13 mph.
Saturday Night: A slight chance of thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Northeast wind 5 to 8 mph becoming southeast after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Sunday: A slight chance of thunderstorms before 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Southeast wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Sunday Night: A slight chance of thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The economy has improved slightly in rural parts of 10 Western and Plains states, but a new survey suggests little growth ahead.

The overall Rural Mainstreet index improved to the neutral score of 50 in June from last month’s 49.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says the strong dollar is continuing to hurt crop prices and exports, so farm income is down in the region.

Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming were surveyed.

The survey indexes range from 0 to 100. Any score below 50 suggests decline in that factor in the months ahead.

The weak crop prices and current bird flu outbreak have bankers worried. The confidence index registered 45.9 in June, up from 41.5 in May, but still negative.