LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Motorists who strike livestock on Nebraska roads could have a tougher time winning negligence lawsuits against farmers and ranchers, under a bill set for a legislative hearing.
A proposal by Ogallala Sen. Ken Schilz would require motorists to show evidence that livestock owners committed “specific acts of negligence” that allowed the animals to escape. Schilz will present the measure (LB1021) Wednesday to the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee.
Current Nebraska law says judges and juries cannot infer livestock owners were negligent just because the animals escaped.
But the law does not require evidence of specific negligence.

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) – A 34-year-old Kearney man has been charged with felony child abuse, accused of punching his teenage son in the head.
Dennis Wright was arrested last week and released from Buffalo County jail on Monday.
Police say the 14-year-old boy’s mother called police after her son told her his father was beating him.
The boy told officers his dad had hit him several times in the face and head. Wright says the boy was uncontrollable and confronted him during an argument at his home. Police say Wright acknowledged hitting his son once, in an eye.
A public phone listing for Wright could not be found. His lawyer didn’t immediately return a call Wednesday from The Associated Press.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Former Sen. Bob Kerrey says he won’t seek the Democratic nomination to replace retiring Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska.
Kerrey’s announcement Tuesday shuts down hopes for a bid both parties called Democrats’ best chance to hold on to the seat.
Kerrey himself had described it as a longshot.
The 1992 presidential candidate and former Nebraska governor moved to New York City after giving up his seat. He spent nearly a week in Nebraska this month to seek advice about whether to run in a state that’s drifted ideologically away from him since he left.
Nelson’s decision not to seek another term this year came as a boon to Republicans, who must net four seats to retake the Senate.
And they’ve prioritized capturing the lone Democratic seat in Nebraska’s congressional delegation.

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) – Authorities say a Hall County roads worker has been rescued from a pile of snow.
The worker was dumping snow from his truck on Monday when he became trapped in a pile with only his head and an arm free.
He used his cellphone to make a call for help, and Grand Island firefighters soon responded.
He was dug out and taken to St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island, where he was treated for scratches and bruises.
His name has not been released.
Hall County officials say it’s unclear whether the worker violated any safety guidelines.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – A state lawmaker wants to study the potential cost and impact of switching to single, countywide school districts throughout Nebraska.
Omaha Sen. Bob Krist will present a proposal (LB991) Tuesday to the Legislature’s Education Committee. The proposed study would examine how a county-by-county district system might work, and whether school districts spanning more than one county should be exempted.
The measure would establish a committee with at least 12 members, including two business representatives from each congressional district, two teachers from each congressional district, and Nebraska Education Commissioner Roger Breed.
Committee members would report their findings to the  Legislature by Jan. 1, 2013.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Potential raises for Nebraska lawmakers would be put in the hands of the voters, under a resolution up for debate in the state Legislature.
Lawmakers on Tuesday will discuss whether to boost lawmaker salaries from $12,000 per year to $32,000 per year.
The move requires a constitutional amendment, which means the final say on the proposed pay hike would be with the Nebraska voters.
The measure, sponsored by Omaha Sen. Scott Lautenbaugh, would place the issue on the November general election ballot.
The new pay rate would take effect on Jan. 9, 2013, if approved.
The constitutional amendment is being offered in an effort to bring legislative compensation in line with the current economy.
Legislative compensation has not been adjusted for 24 years.

FREMONT, Neb. (AP) – Authorities say seven dogs were found in a storage unit rented by a Fremont couple who already face animal cruelty charges.
The dogs were found Tuesday in large pet carriers inside the unit. They are expected to survive their ordeal.
The Dodge County attorney is reviewing a report from the sheriff’s office to determine whether more charges should be filed against 56-year-old Daniel Newcomer and his wife, 46-year-old Ellyn Newcomer. They face two felony counts and 11 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty over the nine dogs, three cats and a potbellied pig that were removed from their Fremont residence, which was later was condemned and demolished.
A phone listed for the Newcomers has been disconnected. Online court records don’t list the name of their attorney.

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) – A 37-year-old rural Kearney man has paid a $300 fine and been place on probation for trying to take a loaded handgun onto a plane at Kearney Regional Airport.
Randy Black recently pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of violating his concealed-weapon permit for having a loaded .40-caliber semi-automatic handgun in his carry-on luggage at the airport on Sept. 25. Black also was placed on six months’ probation.
Authorities say the gun was detected by a security X-ray machine at the airport.
Federal authorities say firearms must be placed in locked, hard-sided containers in checked baggage and be unloaded, and owners must declare the presence of the weapons.
Black wasn’t considered a terror threat and his case was not forwarded to federal prosecutors.