(AP) — Small, independent beer breweries could have an easier time gaining a foothold in Nebraska if some lawmakers have their way.

Three state lawmakers have introduced a legislative study to see what the state can do to help craft breweries expand.

The study will examine whether self-distribution could help startup breweries succeed. It also will examine how they’re taxed relative to larger brewers.

Lawmakers will also look at a beer check-off program to promote Nebraska-made craft beers, and a possible truth-in-labeling requirement intended to keep major companies from portraying their beer as locally made products.

Last year, Nebraska passed a law that doubles the production limit of microbreweries to 20,000 barrels of beer per year. One barrel contains 31 gallons, or about two kegs of beer.

(AP) — A 1,500-square-foot mural on the side of a Lincoln building that illustrates the life and accomplishments of visionary scientist Nikola Tesla has been unveiled.

Dozens of people watched the orange, brown and white mural was unveiled. The murals designers believe is the world’s largest of Tesla, a Serbian-American inventor and rival of Thomas Edison known for his contributions to the design of the AC motor.

The unveiling of the mural also marked the positive changes community leaders say are going with the Turbine Flats Project. The nonprofit’s building was formerly a manufacturing facility that has since been converted to office space.

(AP) — A Cleveland man heads back to court next week after hundreds of charges were added to accusations he held three women captive in his home for a decade and raped them.

One of the most chilling new allegations is that Ariel Castro raped one of the women on Christmas Day 2006, the same day a girl he fathered with another of the women was born.

The 977-count indictment filed Friday against Castro includes rape, kidnapping and aggravated murder charges, including accusations Castro starved and punched one of the women while she was pregnant until she miscarried.

Cuyahoga (ky-uh-HOH’-guh) County Prosecutor Tim McGinty says his office has yet to decide whether to make the case eligible for a death sentence.

The 53-year-old Castro pleaded not guilty to an earlier indictment.

 

(AP) — The Omaha Public Power District has approved natural gas piping for one of its stations in Nebraska City, a move touted as a cost-saving measure.

The district’s board agreed at its July meeting to negotiate an amended contract with its engineering firm, Grunwald Mechanical Contractors & Engineers. The contract will allow for natural gas piping at one its station units.

Power district officials say the cost of fuels varies over time, but natural gas is generally four to five times cheaper than fuel oil.

Work is already halfway done to install natural gas piping at another station in Nebraska City. The new project should be done by spring 2014.

(AP) — The Iowa Department of Public Health says there are now 60 confirmed of the rare food-borne illness cyclosporiasis (cyclo-spoh-RYE-uh-sis), up from 45 cases reported Friday.

The illness is most commonly contracted by eating food or drinking water contaminated with human feces containing the cyclospora parasite. Iowa typically has just one or two cases a year, usually travelers.

Officials believe fresh vegetables may be the culprit, but the investigation continues.

Consumers should wash fruits and vegetables to reduce the risk of the illness, which causes diarrhea that lasts an average of 57 days.

Neighboring Nebraska reported 35 cases as of Friday. A Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a message Saturday asking if more cases had been confirmed in Nebraska.

(AP) — A 17-year-old rural Battle Creek resident has died in a single-vehicle rollover crash in northeastern Nebraska.

Madison County Sheriff Vern Hjorth said Ashley Marx was killed Friday evening.

The sheriff says Marx was westbound on a rural road when she lost control and the vehicle rolled, ejecting her. Hjorth says Marx was the lone occupant of the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Hjorth says Marx was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

The accident was investigated by the Madison County Sheriff’s office.

Hjorth said a crisis team has been established to work with Battle Creek Public Schools students and others affected by the fatal crash.

(AP) — School officials say lunchtime dares to drink a weird concoction that included hot sauce, carrots, salt and milk likely caused 22 students to get sick at a San Diego elementary school — if all of them were actually ill.

San Diego schools spokesman Jack Brandais says Friday that children at Audubon Elementary dared each other to drink from the mixture Thursday. Some reported upset stomachs and nausea afterward.

Teachers then made a general announcement to see if other students had stomach problems. Brandais says that call brought out students “who may not have had problems at all.”

Of the 22 students, 18 were taken to the hospital, and all were later released.

As a precaution, the school’s kitchen, cafeteria and outdoor lunch areas were sanitized overnight.

(AP) — An eastern Michigan woman accused of faking cancer has been ordered to stand trial on fraud and five other charges.

After hearing 10 witnesses over two days, a Sanilac County judge on Friday said prosecutors revealed enough evidence against Sara Ylen (WHY’-lin).

Authorities say the 38-year-old Lexington woman didn’t have cancer, despite receiving hospice care worth $100,000. Ylen also benefited from fundraisers, especially a 2012 church event that raised more than $10,000.

Ylen didn’t present any evidence in court to show she actually had cancer. Witnesses say she claimed to be a patient at the University of Michigan cancer center and an Illinois cancer center. But both say they never treated her.

In a separate case, Ylen is awaiting trial on a charge of making a false report of rape.

(AP) — A quick-thinking 5-year-old New Jersey girl calmly dialed 911 when her mother began choking on a chip.

But she thought it was her father who would be saving the day.

“Daddy, mommy’s choking,” Chloe Olson told the 911 dispatcher Tuesday in the town of Ridgewood.

After opening the front door at the dispatcher’s request, she ended her call with, “Love you, bye.”

Chloe’s mom, Kerry Olson, had stopped choking by the time rescue units arrived. But police say Chloe may still receive special recognition for her impressive actions.

Her parents say police and fire officials also deserve credit — for introducing students to a catchy jingle telling them, “Don’t be scared, pick up the phone and dial 911.”