LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The state’s preliminary unemployment rate has remained unchanged for three months at 2.8 percent for August through October, the Nebraska Labor Department said Friday.

The October rate is down a tenth of a point from the year-ago figure of 2.9 percent, the department said in a news release. Last month’s Nebraska rate remained well below the U.S. number of 3.7 percent, which also was unchanged.

“October continued the trend of employment highs,” said state Labor Commissioner John Albin. “Lincoln and Omaha both reached new highs for nonfarm jobs, while statewide the total nonfarm job count has remained above 1 million since February of 2017.”

Nonfarm employment was 1,039,493, up 15,953 over the year and up 2,867 over the month, the report said. Private industries with the most growth year over year were professional and business services, up 4,962; manufacturing, up 4,384; and leisure and hospitality, up 3,764. Month to month, the largest gains were seen in education and health services, up 1,319; trade, transportation and utilities, up 1,201; and professional and business services, up 924.

The preliminary Omaha-area rate for October was unchanged at 2.6 percent — the same figure as October 2017. Lincoln’s preliminary rate rose a tenth of a point, hitting 2.5 percent, compared with 2.4 percent in September. The year-ago figure was 2.4 percent. Grand Island’s preliminary rate for October was 2.7 percent, up a tenth from September’s 2.6 percent. The October 2017 figure was 2.6 percent.

The unemployment rates for Grand Island, Lincoln and Omaha have not been seasonally adjusted, so they cannot be directly compared with the state unemployment rate.

Here are preliminary area labor market unemployment rates for October, followed by the September rates:

— Beatrice: 4.0, 2.7

— Columbus: 2.5, 2.4

— Fremont: 2.5, 2.5

— Hastings: 2.7, 2.6

— Kearney: 2.2, 2.2

— Lexington: 2.4, 2.4

— Norfolk: 2.3, 2.2

— North Platte: 2.7, 2.6

— Red Willow: 2.6, 2.5

— Scottsbluff: 3.0, 2.9

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A woman and her daughter attacked in Lincoln by one of two inmates who escaped from prison have sued the state and the Nebraska Correctional Services Department.

Cynthia and Christine Allen filed the lawsuit last week in Lincoln, seeking more than $500,000 in damages. They allege that state officials were negligent in failing to keep Armon Dixon from escaping from the Lincoln Correctional Center.

The department has declined to comment on pending litigation.

Dixon and fellow inmate Timothy Clausen hid in the back of a laundry cart to escape on June 10, 2016. Cynthia Allen says Dixon entered her daughter’s apartment and attacked them both before fleeing. He was caught nearby.

Clausen was caught days later in Omaha.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska state government tax collections fell short of expectations in October.

The Department of Revenue reported Thursday that the state received $247 million in net revenue last month, roughly 7 percent lower than the certified forecast of $267 million.

The downturn was driven by lower-than-expected income and miscellaneous tax receipts. That offset sales-and-use tax collections that were 1.4 percent higher than expected.

State government revenue is still higher 3.1 percent higher than projected for the current fiscal year, which began on July 1. The state has collected $1.459 billion so far this fiscal year, compared to the projected amount of $1.416 billion.

Lawmakers and Gov. Pete Ricketts are expected to create a new state budget in the session that begins in January.

The Prairie Arts Center will open a new exhibition, “Black and White,” this Friday.

In this open exhibition, The Prairie Arts Center celebrates the beauty and expressive ability of black and white.  A wide array of styles, mediums and subjects come together as one.”    Enjoy local artists talents Tuesday-Saturday 11-4 pm.

Executive Director Holly Carlini says the show will also make its debut during the Festival of Trees at PAC November 16th, 11-4, November 17th, 11-4 and during the Festival auction and cocktail hour Saturday evening from 7-10 pm.

Tickets to the cocktail party and auction are $10.  Proceeds benefit The Prairie Arts Center and the North Platte Community Playhouse.

Contact PAC for more information 534-5121  www.prairieartscenter.org.

Read a sample draft of the Proclamation HERE

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) – A student is denying accusations that he sexually assaulted a female acquaintance in a residence hall at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Buffalo County Court records say 19-year-old Prestin Melroy, of Holdrege, and 18-year-old Zachary Reikofski, of Fairbury, are charged with felony sexual assault.

Melroy’s attorney, Brian Davis, said Wednesday that Melroy would be pleading not guilty. Reikofski’s attorney didn’t immediately return a message from The Associated Press.

A preliminary hearing for Melroy and Reikofski is scheduled for Dec. 11.

Court records detailing the allegations have been sealed.

BAYARD, Neb. (AP) — A foundation expects to close Thursday on its purchase of land at the base of a famed pioneer landmark in the Nebraska Panhandle, Chimney Rock.

Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation executive director Leslie Fattig told the Lincoln Journal Star that the $400,000 purchase of 360 acres (146 hectares) will protect the site from development. The parcel lies between the state-owned spire and the Abbott Visitor Center. The purchase could let visitors get closer to the landscape formation.

Chimney Rock received prominent mentions in diaries of pioneers migrating west on the Oregon, Mormon and California trails in the mid-1800s. It sits a few miles south-southwest of Bayard in Morrill County.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium has announced the death of a one of its two male giraffes.

The zoo said Tuesday that Sam the giraffe was euthanized because of a degenerative joint disease that had progressed after several years of treatment.

Sam’s condition was being tracked through X-rays, as well as behavioral and other indicators, the zoo says, and “concern for the animal’s welfare required humane euthanasia.”

The 17-year-old giraffe was born in 2001 at the zoo.

There is now one male and nine female giraffes at the zoo.

NEBRASKAland DAYS will play two acts in front of both Jake Owen and Kane Brown for the 2019’s US Cellular Summer Jam Concert Series in June. The Casey Donahue Band and Whiskey Bent will play Friday, June 21 in front of Owen, while Lindsay Ell and Travis Denning will play in front of Brown on Saturday, June 22nd.

Donahew, a Burleson Texas native, (with the help of his wife Melinda,) has painstakingly carved out an impressive niche for himself on the country music scene over the past decade, attracting a solid base of loyal fans who flock to his legendary live shows. Building his career from the ground up one show at a time, he’s managed to perform on countless stages night after night in front of thousands, topped the Texas music charts several times, released four albums independently to critical acclaim, and forged a path all his own through the music scene without the aid or muscle of a major record label or power-suit management company.

Known for its high-energy shows, tight instrumentals, and Tim Zach’s strong vocals, Whiskey Bent is a five-man country rock band based in central Nebraska. Whiskey Bent writes and performs its own music and covers a variety of top artists that include Eric Church, Brantley Gilbert, Dierks Bentley, Jake Owen, Johnny Cash and more. “Garth Brooks meets Metallica. We’re country with crunch,” explains Zach. “We like to push the limits with songs and bring a rock attitude to every song we play.”

Lauded as “one of the most exciting and talented young artists in country music” (Forbes), Lindsay Ell is a triple threat: accomplished musician, unique vocalist and songwriter. The Calgary native learned to play guitar while traveling with her father to country-bluegrass camps as a young girl. Ell honed her craft as a musical stylist and songwriter after being discovered by BTO and The Guess Who’s Randy Bachman (“American Woman” / “Taking Care of Business”) who discovered her at the age of 13. The multi-instrumentalist was soon touring alongside the likes of Luke Bryan, Buddy Guy, The Band Perry and Keith Urban.

A native of Warner Robins, Georgia, Mercury Nashville’s Travis Denning vividly remembers the moment he realized he wanted to pursue music for a living. He was seven years old sitting in his Dad’s truck and heard AC/DC for the first time/ He moved to Nashville in 2014 and within a year signed a publishing deal with Jeremy Stover’s REDCreative Group.

After securing outside cuts by Jason Aldean, Justin Moore, Michael Ray and Chase Rice he caught the attention of Universal Music Group where he eventually signed a record deal in 2017. Travis just released his debut single “David Ashley Parker From Powder Springs,” an upbeat coming-of-age song that paints a picture of a young man reminiscing on his carefree college memories.

“We’re excited to showcase some unique talents in this year’s shows,” said NLD Executive Director David Fudge. “We have everything from homegrown Husker State talent to a couple of fresh faces. We also felt like the move to three acts per night would help us deliver more value for folks coming to see our shows.”

Tickets to the US Cellular Summer Jam Concert Series are on sale now at www.nebraskalanddays.com. Fans can get a combo pass to see all 6 artists for just $88.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A new report says Nebraska has the nation’s second-highest rate of children who remain in foster care through age 19.

The report released Tuesday includes national data to assess how young people fare when transitioning from foster care to adulthood. Illinois had the nation’s highest rate.

The report says Nebraska youths are benefiting from the increased stability and support. Many child welfare experts see longer placements as desirable because they lead to more successful outcomes for those youths.

The report was released by the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative, a part of the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Nebraska has set its age of majority at 19 years old, unlike most states that set it at 18. Lawmakers in 2013 extended benefits for older youths in foster care.