The Agriculture Department says Nebraska’s winter wheat crop remains in bad condition because of the lack of moisture in the state.

The USDA says roughly 46 percent of the winter wheat crop is in poor or very poor condition because of the ongoing drought.

And about 95 percent of the state’s wheat crop has emerged. Normally, all of the crop has emerged by now.

The USDA says farmers have completed most fall fieldwork across Nebraska. They were helped by last week’s warm, dry weather.

Nebraska is launching a new campaign to help residents understand their limits when it comes to gambling.

The Department of Health and Human Services has launched a new website to encourage responsible gambling, and to help identify signs of a problem.

Scot Adams, director of the state’s behavioral health division, says knowing the difference between low-risk behavior and a potential problem is the first defense against problem gambling.

Maya Chilese, who manages a state gamblers assistance program, says an estimated 55,000 Nebraskans may engage in problem behaviors without realizing it.

The Division of Behavioral Health supports a 24-hour Problem Gambling Helpline, which can provide immediate support and referrals to local providers. The number is 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537).

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has scheduled informational meetings around the state to discuss various deer issues.

Game and Parks biologists take questions on a number of topics, including deer management, deer damage, diseases, depredation permits, antlerless harvest, and trophy management. Antelope and elk issues also may be discussed.

The first meeting is scheduled in McCook on Dec. 3. Then there will be meetings on Dec. 6 in Norfolk, Dec. 10 in Kearney, Dec. 11 in O’Neill, Dec. 11 in Gretna, Dec. 13 in York, Dec. 19 in Chadron and Dec. 20 in Bridgeport.

Nebraska lawmakers have scheduled a joint hearing to examine how the federal health care law will affect the state budget.

The Health and Human Services Committee and the Appropriations Committee will meet Tuesday to examine the impact the health care law might have on the budget in upcoming years.

The National Conference of State Legislatures will brief lawmakers in the morning about the health care law and Medicaid, as will the director of the state’s Medicaid Division.

Lawmakers will also study the new costs and long-term state savings that are possible under the health care law.

A pipeline spill in southeast Nebraska earlier this week that leaked as much as 150 gallons of gasoline in a farm field.

Lincoln television station KOLN-TV reports that San Antonio-based Nu Star Energy confirmed the leak near Fairmont.

The leak in an 8-inch diameter pipeline was discovered Wednesday by the landowner whose field was affected. The landowner reported smelling gasoline fumes.

Nu Star Energy says it immediately shut down the pipeline, which carries gasoline from Geneva to Yankton, S.D., and that no water was contaminated. The company says the spill was cleaned up and the line has since been repaired.

The cause of the leak is under investigation.

Omaha police are investigating the death of a man who was taken to a hospital with gunshot injuries.

Police say officers were called to Creighton University Medical Center just before 1 p.m. Saturday after the man was brought to the hospital, where he died.

Police identified the victim as 22-year-old Derek Huntley, of Omaha.

The Omaha Police Department’s homicide unit is investigating the shooting death. No other information on the shooting is available.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact police at 402-444-5652, online at www.omahacrimestoppers.net, or text “OPD” to 274637.

A couple is dead and their 16-year-old son missing after being swept into the sea in Northern California while trying to save their dog.

A state Parks and Recreation superintendent said the family was at a beach north of Eureka Saturday afternoon when the dog was pulled into the water by ten foot waves while chasing after a stick.

Jones said the boy went after the dog, prompting his father to go after them. She said the teenager was able to get out, but when he didn’t see his father, he and his mother went into the water looking for him.

Rescuers retrieved the mother’s body and the father’s body washed up. The Coast Guard is still searching for the son.

The dog survived.

Finding the perfect live Christmas tree can be a challenge, but experts from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln are offering advice on how to choose a good tree and care for it during the holidays.

The tree experts say one of the first things to look for is a tree that is bright in color, and is the right size for your home.

The UNL experts say tree shoppers should brush the needles backward to see how many needles fall out. If a large number of needles fall out, the experts recommend shopping for another tree.

At home, soak the tree in warm water for at least an hour before making a fresh cut six inches above the original.

Be sure to keep water in the tree stand throughout the holidays.

A man has gotten away with prescription drugs after robbing a pharmacy inside a Grand Island store.

The Grand Island Independent says the robbery occurred about 10:15 a.m. Sunday.

Grand Island Police Sgt. Dale Hilderbrand says the man walked to the pharmacy counter at the rear of the Walgreens and demanded drugs.

Hilderbrand says the man didn’t show a weapon and no one was injured.

Animal welfare workers in northeast Pennsylvania say someone skinned 11 puppies before dumping their bodies near a public park.

DNA tests will be done to determine if the puppies are dogs, coyotes or some other type of domestic or wild animal.

The Lehigh County Humane Society says the 11 puppies were discovered Friday in Lower Macungie Township, outside Allentown.

Shelter manager Cary Moran says they were found in or near a bag that had apparently been torn open.

The discovery comes the same week another animal was found skinned, with its feet cut off, about 20 miles away in Lynn Township.

Moran says it will be difficult to find the person who dumped the puppies unless a witness comes forward.

Without an arrest, she says, the motive will remain unclear.