LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture says the number of cattle in Nebraska feedlots is up 2 percent over last year this month.

The report says feedlots with capacities of more than 1,000 head contained 2.49 million cattle as of Feb. 1.

Cattle placements during January totaled 495,000. That was down 9 percent from last year.

The USDA says it revised last year’s estimates of cattle on feed to improve the accuracy of the numbers. Cows and bulls were removed from the counts, which are supposed to reflect only cattle that can grade select or better.

CAMARILLO, Calif. (AP) — The average price of a regular gallon of gas jumped 13 cents in the past two weeks to $2.33, repeating the hike seen two weeks prior for a total 26 cents rise in the last month.

Industry analyst Trilby Lundberg said Sunday that the rise follows months of crashing prices and is still $1.08 per gallon less than a year ago. She attributed the rise to an increase in crude oil prices in mid-January and labor strikes at several refineries.

In Southern California, prices also rose following an explosion at ExxonMobil’s Torrance refinery.

Los Angeles saw prices jump more than 35 cents making it the highest-price gas in the lower 48 cities surveyed, at $2.91.

The low average was in Salt Lake City at $1.91.

In Nebraska, the average price for a gallon of regular is $2.26.

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The federal government predicts that trains hauling crude oil or ethanol will derail an average of 10 times a year over the next two decades.

The projection was contained in a Department of Transportation analysis from last July. It says the derailments could cause more than $4 billion in damage and possibly kill hundreds of people if a serious accident were to happen in a densely populated part of the U.S.

The study took on new relevance this week after a train loaded with oil derailed in West Virginia, causing a spectacular fire and forcing hundreds of families to evacuate.

Monday’s accident was the latest in a spate of fiery derailments. Senior federal officials say it underscores the need for stronger tank cars and other safety improvements.

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (AP) — A federal appeals court has upheld a judge’s dismissal of sexual harassment claims against the city of Scottsbluff and the former police chief.

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in a ruling posted Friday concluded evidence in the case did not show former Police Chief Alex Moreno violated a woman’s constitutional rights.

Judge Richard Kopf in March 2014 had denied Tamara Vilanueva’s claims and dismissed the case. She appealed and the appeals court agreed with the judge.

Villanueva claims the police violated her due process and equal protection rights by failing to follow-up on her complaints of domestic abuse. She also claims Moreno took advantage of her emotional state and harassed her when their sexual relationship ended.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A legislative panel is looking at ways to reduce crowding, expand oversight and increase access to mental health services in Nebraska’s problem-plagued corrections department.

The Judiciary Committee heard testimony Friday on bills that were introduced in response to department scandals.

One bill would expand the definition of mental illness so that more prisoners could qualify for treatment, while requiring that department officials notify law enforcement when a potentially mentally ill inmate is released.

Another would require the governor to declare a state emergency that would lead to more inmates being paroled.

A third measure would create an inspector general position under the Legislature that would serve as a watchdog for the department.

A fourth bill would require the department to specify how and when inmates are placed in segregation.

It was a win-win for both groups. North Platte Community College education students spentFriday morning at Jefferson Elementary mentoring fourth graders and helping them with math assignments.

The college students are enrolled in an exceptional children class at NPCC, and they will visit Jefferson seven times before the semester is over. Another class, children’s literature, goes to Head Start.

“The people who sign up for those classes plan to work with children in some form or another,” said Carol Sandau, NPCC education instructor. “They aren’t just people who want to become teachers. Some might be seeking a profession in social work or the criminal justice system. I’ve even had students who plan on doing youth ministry.”

Missy Hohnholt, Jefferson fourth grade teacher, said her students really look forward to the visits.

“The partnership has been awesome,” said Hohnholt. “The first day the college students were here, they introduced themselves, explained why they go to college and let the kids ask questions.”

According to Hohnholt, the visits have helped her class see the importance of studying hard, staying in school and eventually pursuing a degree.

“Their curiosity has really been sparked by all this,” said Hohnholt. “The college students are definitely great role models to have around.”

GERING, Neb. (AP) — The mother of a western Nebraska child who was slain in 2008 has been detained as a material witness against a man who’s scheduled to go on trial Monday.

Charyse Geurts is expected to testify next week in the trial of her former boyfriend, 28-year-old Dustin Chauncey. He’s charged in Scotts Bluff County District Court with child abuse resulting in the July 2008 death of 2-year-old Juliette Geurts.

Prosecutors had obtained a Nebraska order to detain Geurts, who was taken into custody in Texas. She arrived Wednesday at the Scotts Bluff County Jail. Prosecutors want to keep Geurts in custody until after her testimony is finished.

Judge Leo Dobrovolny has said he likely would rule Friday on whether the county may continue to hold Charyse Geurts.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A bill that would treat electric-assist bicycles the same as regular bikes has passed in the Nebraska Legislature.

Senators voted 48-0 for the proposal on Friday.

The bill would allow electric-assist bicycles to use bike lanes and bike paths. They would be regulated as bicycles instead of motor vehicles, which have stricter requirements.

Sen. Jim Smith of Papillion has said he introduced the bill so people with joint pain or other physical ailments can continue to ride bikes. An electric motor gives riders a power boost that can be used on steep hills.

The bill would apply to electric motors that produce no more than one horsepower, and which are able to propel the bicycle at no more than 20 mph.