ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — Family tragedies including homicide, suicide and drug abuse have shaped the public-service platforms of several of this year’s Miss America contestants.

The brother of Miss Wisconsin Raeanna Johnson killed himself after hiding an addiction to methamphetamine.

The father of Miss Kansas Amanda Sasek killed himself when she was 17.

And Miss Delaware Brittany Lewis is still waiting for someone to be arrested in her sister’s 2010 slaying.

The platforms outline a social or public-service cause that the contestants plan to pursue or publicize.

Preliminary competition begins Tuesday in Atlantic City. The new Miss America will be crowned Sunday night in the nationally televised finale.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A doctor who became infected with Ebola while working in Liberia has visited with two of his family members at the Nebraska hospital where he’s receiving treatment.

A spokesman for the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha says Debbie Sacra and the couple’s oldest son interacted with Dr. Rick Sacra for about 25 minutes Saturday via a video link.

Debbie Sacra says in a news release from the center that she was relieved to see her husband. She says he doesn’t remember much about Friday, when he first arrived.

She says he asked for something to eat.

A center spokesman said Saturday that 51-year-old Rick Sacra’s condition was unchanged from Friday, when he was deemed sick but in stable condition.

Sacra is the third American aid worker to be sickened with the virus.

MACEDONIA, Iowa (AP) — The pilot of a crop-dusting helicopter is being treated for injuries after crashing in western Iowa this weekend.

The helicopter crashed in a field near Macedonia after hitting a power line on Saturday afternoon.

Treynor Fire Chief Russ Maguire says the male pilot was out of the wreckage and conscious when paramedics arrived.

The pilot was taken to CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska for treatment. Authorities say his injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

Federal authorities are likely to investigate the cause of the crash.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The first director of the Sheldon Museum of Art on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus has died at the age of 98.

Norman Geske died Saturday.

Geske helped create the Sheldon in 1963 as part of his job as director of the University of Nebraska’s art galleries. He oversaw construction of the Sheldon’s landmark building and developed its collection.

Filmaker Laurie Richards who made a movie about Geske’s life says he helped develop an artistic culture in Nebraska that inspired Richards and other artists.

Geske was a leading researcher on painter Ralph Albert Blakelock who worked in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He also helped create the Interstate 80 Bicentennial Sculpture Project.

Geske was a native of Sioux City, Iowa.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — The new Hard Rock Casino in Sioux City reported $7.2 million in revenue during its first month of operation.

State regulators said Friday the new Hard Rock easily surpassed its predecessor’s typical August results.

In the past 10 Augusts, the former Argosy Sioux City casino reported revenue between $3.9 million and $5.3 million.

Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission administrator Brain Ohorilko says the increase is similar to what other communities experienced after older riverboat casinos were replaced with land-based casinos. The newer facilities offer larger gaming floors and more amenities.

The early success is good news for the Missouri River Historical Development nonprofit, which distributes 4.25 percent of the Hard Rock’s revenue to local charities. That translates to $304,000 for August.

NORFOLK, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Public Power District plans to being constructing a 39-mile-long transmission line later this month.

The high-voltage line will run from Hoskins to Neligh a few miles north of Highway 275.

The 345,000-volt line will connect an existing power substation near Hoskins to a new one four miles northeast of Neligh.

NPPD will also be installing four 115,000-volt lines to connect the new substation to existing transmission lines.

NPPD Vice President Tom Kent says drivers in the area should watch out for large equipment and possibly some congestion near construction sites.

The work will begin around Sept. 15 when crews start trimming trees along the route.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska doctors treating the man who became infected with Ebola while working in Liberia say he is making progress, but it’s not yet clear if he will recover.

Dr. Rick Sacra arrived at the Nebraska Medical Center on Friday for treatment in the hospital’s specialized 10-bed isolation unit. Two of the doctors treating him gave an update on his condition Sunday.

Dr. Phil Smith says Sacra remains very tired, but his progress has been encouraging.

Sacra has been helping with his own treatment by providing information about Ebola to the doctors because he saw it in Africa.

Smith says Sacra has even made a few jokes with the doctors treating him.

The 51-year-old Sacra is the third American aid worker to be sickened with the Ebola virus.