(AP) — The interim fire chief in Omaha has been named permanently to the post.

Mayor Jean Stothert announced Monday that Bernie Kanger will lead the Omaha Fire Department. He beat three other finalists for the job following a nationwide search.

Kanger has been with the department since 1991. He served as battalion chief before he took on the interim role last August. That’s when former Chief Mike McDonnell agreed to resign under a deal at the time with Stothert over the department’s budget. He went on administrative leave then retired in November.

Stothert has praised Kanger for his efforts to cut costs as the mayor and the fire union sparred over the department’s budget.

(AP) — Nebraska lawmakers are squabbling over how much money to put into a state fund that helps reduce property taxes, and whether to pay $2.5 million for bronze fountains at the Capitol.

The disputes on Monday arose as lawmakers debated changes to the state’s $7.8 billion, two-year budget.

The current proposal includes a $25 million increase in Nebraska’s property tax credit fund, bringing the total annual amount to $140 million. The money is distributed as a tax credit to property owners. Senators on Monday rejected an attempt to increase the fund by $45 million instead.

Some conservatives tried unsuccessfully to strip funding for Capitol fountains out of the budget. The fountains were part of the Capitol’s original design, but were never finished.

(AP) — Central Nebraska authorities say snow and ice may have been factors in a collision that fatally injured a St. Paul man.

The Howard County sheriff’s office says the accident was reported just after 6 p.m. Friday about two miles north of Cotesfield on Nebraska Highway 11.

Officials say 47-year-old Donald Kozeal was driving his van south when it was struck by a northbound semitrailer that had crossed the center line.

No injuries to the semi driver were reported. He was identified as 25-year-old Cody Stevens.

The sheriff’s office says Kozeal was taken to Howard County Medical Center in St. Paul, where he died.

(AP) — No charges will be filed against an Omaha homeowner who shot and killed a 19-year-old after he broke into the home.

Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine said Monday that 66-year-old Ronald Green’s actions were justified because he feared for his life.

Authorities say Ramon Matlock broke into Green’s home in northeast Omaha around 9 p.m. Saturday.

Kleine says Matlock swung at Green and landed a glancing blow before Green fired his gun. Matlock was struck twice and died in Green’s front yard.

Green called 911 after the shooting and asked for paramedics. His gun is properly licensed.

(AP) — An expert will discuss the quality of America’s educational system in a speech in Lincoln later this month.

Many studies and test score comparisons suggest American students are lagging behind their peers in other countries.

Education researcher Yong Zhao will speak about that at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on March 18.

The University of Oregon associate dean has written more than 100 articles and 20 books about education, and his most-recent book is “Catching Up or Leading the Way: American Education in the Age of Globalization.”

(AP) — The Museum of Nebraska History in Lincoln will close in September to prepare for an $8 million renovation project.

The project is scheduled to begin in October. Officials aren’t sure when it will be completed.

The work will include replacement of the heating and air-conditioning systems and plumbing as well as carpet and other finishes. There also will be upgrades on bathrooms to meet requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act.

In addition, the renovation will move the museum’s main entrance from its northeast corner to the center of its east side.

Last year the Legislature appropriated $6 million over three years for the renovation. Cigarette taxes will cover the rest of the cost.

(AP) — Authorities say a 31-year-old family friend has been arrested in the deaths of a mother and two young children in Canon (CAN’-yun) City, Colo.

Police said Jaacob Vanwinkle is accused of killing a 5-year-old boy, a 9-year-old girl and their 35-year-old mother Sunday night.

Police Sgt. Shannon Byerly said Monday that Van Winkle is facing charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping and sexual assault.

Police were responding to a report of a sexual assault from a teenage girl when they found the bodies. Byerly said the girl escaped and ran to a neighbor’s home to notify police.

Byerly said the girl was taken to a hospital, where she was treated and released. Police haven’t said how she knew the victims or suspect. None of the victims has been identified.

(AP) — Police say an 18-year-old Miley Cyrus fan snuck into her dressing room a day before her Omaha concert and left a note pleading her to meet him.

Police reported that the man, Tucker Salvesen, entered a restricted area of the CenturyLink Center on Wednesday. He then posted a Twitter message to the pop star, telling her to look for his note.

Police say Salvesen’s note pledged his love to Cyrus and said her music gave him all the answers he was looking for to mend his broken heart.

Salvesen was detained the day of the concert in a public area at the CenturyLink Center and cited on suspicion of trespassing.

Cyrus’ publicist didn’t immediately return a message from The Associated Press on Monday.

(AP) — The Nebraska Supreme Court has again ruled that a father who was intentionally misled about the birth of his child can stop the baby’s adoption.

The father, listed only as Jeremiah J. in court documents, appealed in 2012 after a Hall County court ruled that he could not stop adoption proceedings for his biological daughter. The lower court said he failed to object to the adoption within five business days after her birth, as required by law.

The Nebraska’s high court reversed that ruling, saying the mother purposely misled Jeremiah regarding the baby’s date of birth to prevent him from complying with the state’s five-day law.

The mother then appealed, and on Friday, the high court held that Jeremiah’s consent was needed for the adoption to proceed.