OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — State health figures show the number of hospital beds available in Nebraska has dropped below 40% as the state continues to see more COVID-19 cases confirmed. 

The state's online coronavirus tracker shows that as of Thursday, 2,330 of the state's total 3,834 hospital beds were occupied. 

That left 1,504, or 39%, of hospital beds available. The site also shows that 43% of intensive care unit beds and 78% of ventilators in the state were available. 

The state saw another 125 cases of the virus reported on Thursday, to take the state's total to 18,346. 

There also were three new COVID-19 deaths, bringing the state's total to 260.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — State health figures show the number of hospital beds available in Nebraska has dropped below 40% as the state continues to see more COVID-19 cases confirmed. The state's online coronavirus tracker shows that as of Thursday, 2,330 of the state's total 3,834 hospital beds were occupied. That left 1,504, or 39%, of hospital beds available. The site also shows that 43% of intensive care unit beds and 78% of ventilators in the state were available. The state saw another 125 cases of the virus reported on Thursday, to take the state's total to 18,346. There also were three new COVID-19 deaths, bringing the state's total to 260.

Available hospital beds drop in Nebraska as virus cases rise

LINCOLN, Neb. – Roads on several state wildlife management areas (WMAs) remain closed, partially closed or are intermittently closed because of poor conditions. County roads leading to the areas also may be closed.

These closures are due to damage from the flood of 2019 along with continued high water table in some areas and local rainfall making roads impassable. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission continues to work to get vehicle access open to these areas.

The impacted WMAs include: Randal W. Schilling, Cass County; Goose Lake, Holt County; Peru Bottoms and Peru Boat Ramp, Nemaha County; South Pine, Brown County; Twin Lakes, Rock County; Defair Lake, Grant County; Cottonwood/Steverson and Big Alkali, Cherry County; Bufflehead and Kea West, Buffalo County; Loup River Public Power District and Don Dworack, Nance County; Bazile Creek and Niobrara Confluence, Knox County; Parshall Bridge, Boyd County; and Spencer Dam, Holt County; Rose Creek, Jefferson County.

For more information on closures at Game and Parks properties, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA2MjYuMjM1NzQ4NDEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vb3V0ZG9vcm5lYnJhc2thLmdvdi93ZWF0aGVyY2xvc3VyZXMvIn0.GvqJyRwzSG-uPeynyt979yXkQ5jtXInVmHSX0gz_5ZM/s/401498001/br/80393870444-l" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.gov/weatherclosures</a>.

LINCOLN, Neb. – Roads on several state wildlife management areas (WMAs) remain closed, partially closed or are intermittently closed because of poor conditions. County roads leading to the areas also may be closed.These closures are due to damage from the flood of 2019 along with continued high water table in some areas and local rainfall making roads impassable. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission continues to work to get vehicle access open to these areas.The impacted WMAs include: Randal W. Schilling, Cass County; Goose Lake, Holt County; Peru Bottoms and Peru Boat Ramp, Nemaha County; South Pine, Brown County; Twin Lakes, Rock County; Defair Lake, Grant County; Cottonwood/Steverson and Big Alkali, Cherry County; Bufflehead and Kea West, Buffalo County; Loup River Public Power District and Don Dworack, Nance County; Bazile Creek and Niobrara Confluence, Knox County; Parshall Bridge, Boyd County; and Spencer Dam, Holt County; Rose Creek, Jefferson County.For more information on closures at Game and Parks properties, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA2MjYuMjM1NzQ4NDEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vb3V0ZG9vcm5lYnJhc2thLmdvdi93ZWF0aGVyY2xvc3VyZXMvIn0.GvqJyRwzSG-uPeynyt979yXkQ5jtXInVmHSX0gz_5ZM/s/401498001/br/80393870444-l" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.gov/weatherclosures</a>.-30-&nbsp;

Game and Parks announces several road closures on wildlife management areas

LINCOLN-Governor Pete Ricketts discussed the State of Nebraska’s Community CARES program.&nbsp; Through the initiative, the State is allocating $85 million to support community organizations such as food banks, shelters, and mental health care providers as they face increased demand for their services due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) CEO Dannette R. Smith joined the Governor to provide specifics on the Community CARES program. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Additionally, the State’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Gary Anthone, and Caryn Vincent—Deputy Director of Public Health at DHHS—joined the Governor to emphasize the importance of keeping kids’ immunizations up-to-date.

Full video of today’s press briefing is available by&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dropbox.com%2Fs%2F4xoete9a5angbqp%2FPress%2520Conf%25206.25.2020.mp4%3Fdl%3D0&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ccio.webmstr%40nebraska.gov%7Ce89f81aa31dc4185e21008d819d9524b%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637287768459070504&amp;sdata=oYiuz3W6gVcllvQLoRV3CzobSyDlCS3gPwF8ePDjEzs%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">clicking here</a>.

LINCOLN-Governor Pete Ricketts discussed the State of Nebraska’s Community CARES program.&nbsp; Through the initiative, the State is allocating $85 million to support community organizations such as food banks, shelters, and mental health care providers as they face increased demand for their services due to the coronavirus pandemic.Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) CEO Dannette R. Smith joined the Governor to provide specifics on the Community CARES program. &nbsp;&nbsp;Additionally, the State’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Gary Anthone, and Caryn Vincent—Deputy Director of Public Health at DHHS—joined the Governor to emphasize the importance of keeping kids’ immunizations up-to-date.Gov. Ricketts: Test Nebraska<ul>
 <li>We continue to encourage people to take the&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Ftestnebraska.com%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ccio.webmstr%40nebraska.gov%7Ce89f81aa31dc4185e21008d819d9524b%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637287768459060542&amp;sdata=RGb8IyDepAUDtpa1i68MYLFHbBpcv8hFjQ0mezLIV4g%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">TestNebraska.com</a>&nbsp;assessment.</li><li>All Nebraskans are now eligible to get tested. The last remaining limiting criteria has been lifted in Douglas County.</li><li>The last remaining limiting criteria has been lifted in Douglas County.</li><li>Test Nebraska mobile sites will be in the following communities in the next few days: Hastings, Imperial, North Platte, Omaha, Seward, South Sioux City, and Springfield.</li><li>Next week, Test Nebraska will also partner with the following hospitals and health centers to do testing: Blair Memorial HospitalCommunity Hospital in ColumbusGood Neighbor Health Center in ColumbusKearney Regional Medical CenterFaith Regional Health Services in NorfolkFranciscan Care Services in West PointYork General Hospital</li><li>Blair Memorial Hospital</li><li>Community Hospital in Columbus</li><li>Good Neighbor Health Center in Columbus</li><li>Kearney Regional Medical Center</li><li>Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk</li><li>Franciscan Care Services in West Point</li><li>York General Hospital</li>
 </ul>CEO Smith: Community CARES<ul>
 <li>Community CARES offers $85 million for Nebraska’s charities and providers to respond to and recover from the impacts of the coronavirus.</li><li>Stabilization Grants - $40 million These grants offer direct assistance to charitable and provider organizations that have experienced losses or increased expenses due to the pandemic.</li><li>These grants offer direct assistance to charitable and provider organizations that have experienced losses or increased expenses due to the pandemic.</li><li>Response and Recovery Grants - $43 million These grants support charitable and provider organizations as they offer services in their communities.Services include meals, housing, behavioral health care, outreach to underserved populations, and more.</li><li>These grants support charitable and provider organizations as they offer services in their communities.Services include meals, housing, behavioral health care, outreach to underserved populations, and more.</li><li>Services include meals, housing, behavioral health care, outreach to underserved populations, and more.</li><li>Healthy Places Grants - $2 million These grants will be made as one-time payments to child care providers and centers of worship to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning supplies.</li><li>These grants will be made as one-time payments to child care providers and centers of worship to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning supplies.</li><li>Potential applicants can visit&nbsp;<a href="http://dhhs.ne.gov/CommunityCares" target="_blank">dhhs.ne.gov/CommunityCares</a>&nbsp;for more information.</li><li>DHHS will also have a call center available to answer questions about the grants as of Monday, June 29th.&nbsp; The number is (833) 220-0018.</li>
 </ul>Dr. Anthone: Immunizations<ul>
 <li>Vaccines are one of the greatest public health achievements. &nbsp;They are among the most successful, cost-effective public health tools available for preventing disease and death.</li><li>Vaccination can protect against 14 serious childhood diseases, including measles, mumps, flu, tetanus, polio, and whooping cough.</li><li>Vaccines not only help protect those who receive them, but they also help protect entire communities by preventing and reducing the spread of disease.</li><li>Nebraska has a strong history of everyone working together—parents, health care providers, local health departments, public clinics, and schools—to make sure our children are immunized.</li><li>However, during the coronavirus pandemic, data is showing a decline in routine childhood vaccinations nationwide.</li><li>As families stay home to help slow the spread of the virus, many have missed routine vaccination appointments.</li><li>The CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend every child continue to receive routine vaccinations during the coronavirus outbreak.</li>
 </ul>Caryn Vincent: Immunizations<ul>
 <li>As communities are opening up, it’s important for parents to work with their health care provider to make sure children stay up-to-date on routine vaccines.</li><li>If your child is due for a well-child visit or an immunization, call your health care provider’s office, local clinic, or health center and ask about how they are offering visits during the pandemic.</li><li>Many health care providers are taking extra steps to make sure visits are safe, such as: Having all staff and patients wear masksReducing the number of people in waiting roomsScheduling well-child visits at a different time of day than sick visits or at a different locationAllowing only one adult to accompany a child to appointmentsOffering telehealth appointments with separate, in-office appointments for immunizations</li><li>Having all staff and patients wear masks</li><li>Reducing the number of people in waiting rooms</li><li>Scheduling well-child visits at a different time of day than sick visits or at a different location</li><li>Allowing only one adult to accompany a child to appointments</li><li>Offering telehealth appointments with separate, in-office appointments for immunizations</li><li>DHHS offers the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program. &nbsp;It’s a federally funded and state-operated vaccine supply program that provides vaccines to eligible children at no cost or low cost at various providers throughout the state.</li><li>Children are eligible for the VFC program if they are 18 years old or younger and meet at least one of the following requirements: Are American Indian or Alaska NativeAre eligible for MedicaidAre uninsuredAre underinsured</li><li>Are American Indian or Alaska Native</li><li>Are eligible for Medicaid</li><li>Are uninsured</li><li>Are underinsured</li><li>More information on the VFC program is available on the DHHS website:&nbsp;<a href="http://dhhs.ne.gov/immunizations" target="_blank">dhhs.ne.gov/immunizations</a>&nbsp;or by calling (800) 798-1696.</li>
 </ul>Full video of today’s press briefing is available by&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dropbox.com%2Fs%2F4xoete9a5angbqp%2FPress%2520Conf%25206.25.2020.mp4%3Fdl%3D0&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ccio.webmstr%40nebraska.gov%7Ce89f81aa31dc4185e21008d819d9524b%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637287768459070504&amp;sdata=oYiuz3W6gVcllvQLoRV3CzobSyDlCS3gPwF8ePDjEzs%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">clicking here</a>.

Gov. Ricketts highlights 'Community CARES' program, encourages immunization

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - It's never been easy to be a Democrat in Nebraska, but somehow it keeps getting even harder.

The 29% of Nebraska voters registered as Democrats is the smallest in at least 50 years, and that's only one indication of the party's problems.

Just in the last week, the party&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/db5b8e0b714d76827262eb0381574312" target="_blank">urged its U.S. Senate nominee to resign</a>&nbsp;after he admitted to sending sexually offensive text messages to a campaign staffer and its nominee in a largely rural congressional district ditched the party so he could run on the "Legal Marijuana Now" ticket. That followed a recent Democratic nominee for governor endorsing the Republican in the state's sole competitive U.S. House district.

The local Republican Party chapter in Omaha put it bluntly in a recent tweet: "Nebraska Dems have a dumpster fire on their hands."

Or as former Nebraska Democratic Party executive director Paul Landow noted, "For a Democrat to win statewide office, something really crazy would have to happen."

Although the last Democratic presidential candidate to win Nebraska was Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, members of the party were once competitive. Democrat Bob Kerrey was elected governor and to the U.S. Senate in the 1980s and 1990s, and Ben Nelson served two terms as governor in the 1990s and was twice elected to the U.S. Senate. And in 2008, presidential candidate Barack Obama won in an Omaha-based congressional district, thus earning a single Electoral College vote under Nebraska's unusual system.

But more than a decade has passed since a Democrat won a statewide election, and Republican nominees now aren't even seriously challenged.

Even some Republicans bemoan the situation.

"It's better to have competitive races, both in the primary and general elections," said J.L. Spray, a GOP national committee member and former state party chairman. "The voters should have a choice."

Democrats say their biggest problem is a lack of money, and they argue the national party is short-changing states like Nebraska in favor of states seen as more competitive in presidential politics.

Jane Kleeb, the state party chairwoman, noted that when Howard Dean was the Democratic Party's chairman, its national committee had a 50-state strategy that guaranteed at least $25,000 a month to every state party regardless of its size. That period of 2005 to 2009 coincided with Nelson's reelection to U.S. Senate and Obama's Electoral College win.

Later, Kleeb said the party reduced Nebraska's monthly share to $2,500 a month before raising it again to $10,000. But by then, she said the party had ceded too much ground to Republicans and had grown disconnected from rural voters, who tend to turn out in greater proportions than those in Omaha and Lincoln.

"We're having to rebuild relationships with voters who feel like the party has turned its backs on them," said Kleeb, who published a book this year on how Democrats could win in rural America. "Rural voters used to see our faces and hear our voices, and those years are now gone."

Kleeb said she's focused on rebuilding the party and trying to recruit strong candidates even though many are reluctant to jump into races with long odds.

As the general election approaches, Democrats are facing a host of problems, starting with the effort to unseat Republican Sen. Ben Sasse.

The Democratic nominee, Chris Janicek, was always a long shot, but after a staffer revealed he had sent her text messages asking whether his campaign ought to spend money "getting her laid," the party asked him to quit. Janicek has refused to step down, and under state law, the party can't force him off the ballot without his consent.

Unless a replacement is found there will be no Democrat listed in the 3rd Congressional District. Nominee Mark Elworth Jr. had been the nominee but opted to run as a marijuana party candidate.

In the typically competitive 2nd District, it's unclear whether it will damage Democrat Kara Eastman that the party's 2018 nominee for governor endorsed Republican incumbent Don Bacon.

Democrats who have won in Nebraska said they're surprised how dramatically the state's political climate has shifted.

When Kerrey, a decorated Navy SEAL, returned to Nebraska in 2012 to run for his old U.S. Senate seat, Republicans tagged him as an out-of-touch carpetbagger because he had been living in New York. Kerrey lost in a landslide to Republican Deb Fischer, a rancher and state senator.

"There was hardly any party when I ran in 2012," Kerrey said. "You get out of Omaha and Lincoln, and finding an elected Democrat is like hunting for a unicorn."

The problem, Kerrey said, is about ideology as much as it is about money and reflects a leftward move of the national Democratic Party.

"If your conclusions about social and economic policy are in the minority, then you're going to be in the minority," Kerrey said.

Even in the past, Democrats typically lost unless facing unpopular incumbents, said Kim Robak, a Democratic lieutenant governor under Nelson. Robak said Nelson was able to unseat then-Republican Gov. Kay Orr largely because Orr approved a tax package that some voters viewed as a tax increase.

"Since then, the Republicans have become a lot more careful," she said.

Nebraska Democrats have fared somewhat better in local elections and the nonpartisan Legislature, but they're still relegated to the minority.

Democrats thought they might have a winning candidate in Jane Raybould, a moderate Lincoln businesswoman and city councilwoman who ran for U.S. Senate in 2018. Raybould launched her campaign in the heat of President Donald Trump's trade war with China, outlining a pro-trade agenda as farmers struggled financially.

Still, Fischer coasted to reelection with nearly 58% of the vote in a year when wins elsewhere enabled Democrats to take control of the House.

Raybould said raising money was difficult as the state party's donor base is so small and out-of-state donors consider any Nebraska race to be unwinnable. Equally hard was convincing voters to consider a Democrat.

"It really is challenging to run for statewide office as a Democrat," she said. "You're already at a tremendous voter disadvantage. You're already facing an uphill battle."

By GRANT SCHULTE-Associated Press OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - It's never been easy to be a Democrat in Nebraska, but somehow it keeps getting even harder.The 29% of Nebraska voters registered as Democrats is the smallest in at least 50 years, and that's only one indication of the party's problems.Just in the last week, the party&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/db5b8e0b714d76827262eb0381574312" target="_blank">urged its U.S. Senate nominee to resign</a>&nbsp;after he admitted to sending sexually offensive text messages to a campaign staffer and its nominee in a largely rural congressional district ditched the party so he could run on the "Legal Marijuana Now" ticket. That followed a recent Democratic nominee for governor endorsing the Republican in the state's sole competitive U.S. House district.The local Republican Party chapter in Omaha put it bluntly in a recent tweet: "Nebraska Dems have a dumpster fire on their hands."Or as former Nebraska Democratic Party executive director Paul Landow noted, "For a Democrat to win statewide office, something really crazy would have to happen."It wasn't always this way.Although the last Democratic presidential candidate to win Nebraska was Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, members of the party were once competitive. Democrat Bob Kerrey was elected governor and to the U.S. Senate in the 1980s and 1990s, and Ben Nelson served two terms as governor in the 1990s and was twice elected to the U.S. Senate. And in 2008, presidential candidate Barack Obama won in an Omaha-based congressional district, thus earning a single Electoral College vote under Nebraska's unusual system.But more than a decade has passed since a Democrat won a statewide election, and Republican nominees now aren't even seriously challenged.Even some Republicans bemoan the situation."It's better to have competitive races, both in the primary and general elections," said J.L. Spray, a GOP national committee member and former state party chairman. "The voters should have a choice."Democrats say their biggest problem is a lack of money, and they argue the national party is short-changing states like Nebraska in favor of states seen as more competitive in presidential politics.Jane Kleeb, the state party chairwoman, noted that when Howard Dean was the Democratic Party's chairman, its national committee had a 50-state strategy that guaranteed at least $25,000 a month to every state party regardless of its size. That period of 2005 to 2009 coincided with Nelson's reelection to U.S. Senate and Obama's Electoral College win.Later, Kleeb said the party reduced Nebraska's monthly share to $2,500 a month before raising it again to $10,000. But by then, she said the party had ceded too much ground to Republicans and had grown disconnected from rural voters, who tend to turn out in greater proportions than those in Omaha and Lincoln."We're having to rebuild relationships with voters who feel like the party has turned its backs on them," said Kleeb, who published a book this year on how Democrats could win in rural America. "Rural voters used to see our faces and hear our voices, and those years are now gone."Kleeb said she's focused on rebuilding the party and trying to recruit strong candidates even though many are reluctant to jump into races with long odds.As the general election approaches, Democrats are facing a host of problems, starting with the effort to unseat Republican Sen. Ben Sasse.The Democratic nominee, Chris Janicek, was always a long shot, but after a staffer revealed he had sent her text messages asking whether his campaign ought to spend money "getting her laid," the party asked him to quit. Janicek has refused to step down, and under state law, the party can't force him off the ballot without his consent.Unless a replacement is found there will be no Democrat listed in the 3rd Congressional District. Nominee Mark Elworth Jr. had been the nominee but opted to run as a marijuana party candidate.In the typically competitive 2nd District, it's unclear whether it will damage Democrat Kara Eastman that the party's 2018 nominee for governor endorsed Republican incumbent Don Bacon.Democrats who have won in Nebraska said they're surprised how dramatically the state's political climate has shifted.When Kerrey, a decorated Navy SEAL, returned to Nebraska in 2012 to run for his old U.S. Senate seat, Republicans tagged him as an out-of-touch carpetbagger because he had been living in New York. Kerrey lost in a landslide to Republican Deb Fischer, a rancher and state senator."There was hardly any party when I ran in 2012," Kerrey said. "You get out of Omaha and Lincoln, and finding an elected Democrat is like hunting for a unicorn."The problem, Kerrey said, is about ideology as much as it is about money and reflects a leftward move of the national Democratic Party."If your conclusions about social and economic policy are in the minority, then you're going to be in the minority," Kerrey said.Even in the past, Democrats typically lost unless facing unpopular incumbents, said Kim Robak, a Democratic lieutenant governor under Nelson. Robak said Nelson was able to unseat then-Republican Gov. Kay Orr largely because Orr approved a tax package that some voters viewed as a tax increase."Since then, the Republicans have become a lot more careful," she said.Nebraska Democrats have fared somewhat better in local elections and the nonpartisan Legislature, but they're still relegated to the minority.Democrats thought they might have a winning candidate in Jane Raybould, a moderate Lincoln businesswoman and city councilwoman who ran for U.S. Senate in 2018. Raybould launched her campaign in the heat of President Donald Trump's trade war with China, outlining a pro-trade agenda as farmers struggled financially.Still, Fischer coasted to reelection with nearly 58% of the vote in a year when wins elsewhere enabled Democrats to take control of the House.Raybould said raising money was difficult as the state party's donor base is so small and out-of-state donors consider any Nebraska race to be unwinnable. Equally hard was convincing voters to consider a Democrat."It really is challenging to run for statewide office as a Democrat," she said. "You're already at a tremendous voter disadvantage. You're already facing an uphill battle."

Democrats fight for relevance in red-state Nebraska

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - A western Nebraska attorney accused of accepting cocaine as payment for legal services has been disbarred.

The Nebraska Supreme Court on Friday issued the notice of disbarment for Jon Worthman, 52. Worthman was arrested in January after a law enforcement informant sold him about an ounce of cocaine, the Nebraska State Patrol has said. An affidavit said that after his arrest, Worthman admitted to sometimes accepting cocaine as payment for legal fees.

Worthman, who had also served as the elected public defender for Box Butte County at the time of his arrest, has been charged with possession of cocaine with intent to deliver. He is free while awaiting trial on a $15,000 bond.

In Friday's notice, the state's high court said Worthman filed a motion to voluntarily surrender his law license. Worthman had been practicing law in the state since 1994.

Reached at his home in Alliance, Worthman declined to comment on both his case and his disbarment. Worthman's attorney, Maren Chalupka of Scottsbluff, was out of the office Friday and did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Worthman's next court hearing is set for July 30 for his request to suppress all prosecutors' evidence. He argues in the motion that a confidential informant police used to carry out a drug deal with Worthman is an unreliable source.

Worthman has pleaded not guilty. Online court records show he has waived his right to a jury trial. A trial date has not been set.

By MARGERY A. BECK-Associated Press OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - A western Nebraska attorney accused of accepting cocaine as payment for legal services has been disbarred.The Nebraska Supreme Court on Friday issued the notice of disbarment for Jon Worthman, 52. Worthman was arrested in January after a law enforcement informant sold him about an ounce of cocaine, the Nebraska State Patrol has said. An affidavit said that after his arrest, Worthman admitted to sometimes accepting cocaine as payment for legal fees.Worthman, who had also served as the elected public defender for Box Butte County at the time of his arrest, has been charged with possession of cocaine with intent to deliver. He is free while awaiting trial on a $15,000 bond.In Friday's notice, the state's high court said Worthman filed a motion to voluntarily surrender his law license. Worthman had been practicing law in the state since 1994.Reached at his home in Alliance, Worthman declined to comment on both his case and his disbarment. Worthman's attorney, Maren Chalupka of Scottsbluff, was out of the office Friday and did not immediately return a call seeking comment.Worthman's next court hearing is set for July 30 for his request to suppress all prosecutors' evidence. He argues in the motion that a confidential informant police used to carry out a drug deal with Worthman is an unreliable source.Worthman has pleaded not guilty. Online court records show he has waived his right to a jury trial. A trial date has not been set.

Nebraska Supreme Court disbars Scottsbluff lawyer found with cocaine

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - The latest state health figures show the number of hospital beds available in Nebraska has dropped below 40% as the state continues to see more COVID-19 cases confirmed.

As of Thursday, 2,330 of the state's total 3,834 hospital beds were occupied, according to the state's&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraska.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/4213f719a45647bc873ffb58783ffef3" target="_blank">online coronavirus tracker</a>. That left 1,504, or 39%, of hospital beds available.

The site also shows that 43% of intensive care unit beds and 78% of ventilators in the state were available. The state saw another 125 cases of the virus reported on Thursday, as well as three new COVID-19 deaths.

The new numbers came as Gov. Pete Ricketts warned on Thursday that the state could see a spike in new cases if residents don't continue to take safety precautions like wearing masks in public places and keeping a distance of at least 6 feet from other people.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - The latest state health figures show the number of hospital beds available in Nebraska has dropped below 40% as the state continues to see more COVID-19 cases confirmed.As of Thursday, 2,330 of the state's total 3,834 hospital beds were occupied, according to the state's&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraska.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/4213f719a45647bc873ffb58783ffef3" target="_blank">online coronavirus tracker</a>. That left 1,504, or 39%, of hospital beds available.The site also shows that 43% of intensive care unit beds and 78% of ventilators in the state were available. The state saw another 125 cases of the virus reported on Thursday, as well as three new COVID-19 deaths.The new numbers came as Gov. Pete Ricketts warned on Thursday that the state could see a spike in new cases if residents don't continue to take safety precautions like wearing masks in public places and keeping a distance of at least 6 feet from other people.For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness.

The North Platte Public Library will be relaxing more of the restrictions currently in place for the public, beginning on July 1, 2020, based on the Governor’s phase III DHM rules.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Monday-Friday: 8:00AM – 5:00PM – all public are required to use hand sanitizer upon entering the building.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Saturday and Sunday: Library is closed – the book drop will be open.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*NEW*&nbsp;Library is now open to people of all ages.&nbsp;Children ages 12 and under,&nbsp;must be accompanied by an adult.&nbsp;&nbsp;Adults and Children will be required to use hand sanitizer. Infants are expected to stay in a carrier or stroller. Hand Sanitizer usage is for the safety of all citizens to limit contamination of library materials by the virus.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*NEW*&nbsp;The drinking fountain is not available.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*NEW*&nbsp;A maximum of 50 people (excluding library staff)&nbsp;will be allowed in the facility at any time

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*NEW*&nbsp;The entire second floor library collections and services, including Computer Services, are now accessible to the public.&nbsp;In order to maintain social distancing in computer areas; a maximum of eight (8) public TLC (Technology Learning Center) computers, two (2) genealogy area computers and one (1) young adult computer area, will be made available. The first floor computers are now library catalog access only computers. Please note that due to social distancing guidelines, computer assistance is very limited.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*NEW*&nbsp;The Creation Station is now open with limited hours, by appointment only, with modifications and restrictions.&nbsp;Call 308-535-8036 X3320 to make an appointment.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*NEW*&nbsp;Group programming may be requested by contacting the Library Director. Due to social distancing guidelines, meeting room capacity is limited.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*NEW*&nbsp;Teens Explore will be held July 9, 16, and 23, 2020 at 4:00PM, with a maximum of twenty-four (24) participants and one (1) library staff member.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*NEW*&nbsp;All persons visiting the library will need to check in with a library teammate and use hand sanitizer before entering the main area of the library. All persons will be asked their name and required to use hand sanitizer (provided by the Library). This is for the safety of all citizens to limit contamination of library materials by the virus. Masks are encouraged, but not required.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*NEW*&nbsp;All library staff are encouraged (but not required) to wear masks&nbsp;and may be further protected as their comfort level dictates.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*NEW*&nbsp;Magazines and Newspapers&nbsp;will be available for the public to read. This is based on the early findings of the REALM Study (Reopening Archives, Libraries &amp; Museums):&nbsp;<a href="https://www.imls.gov/news/research-shows-virus-undetectable-five-highly-circulated-library-materials-after-three-days" target="_blank">https://www.imls.gov/news/research-shows-virus-undetectable-five-highly-circulated-library-materials-after-three-days</a>

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A maximum time limit of 60 minutes per visit per day will be enforced.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Tables with a maximum of 6 chairs have been spaced 6 feet apart, to maintain social distancing.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All library materials must be returned through the book drop (not the front desk). The library’s book drop is open 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. All returned library materials are put through a 72 hour quarantine.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Public Restrooms are open, however they are only cleaned once a day and should only be used in an emergency situation.

The North Platte Public Library reserves the right to modify (stricter or loosen) these provisions of service based on Health Care Directives from the West Central District Health Department and/or City of North Platte Administration.

You are using the library at your own risk. The North Platte Public Library is not responsible if you contract coronavirus or any other communicable disease. We are taking all precautions to protect our staff and our patrons.

The North Platte Public Library will be relaxing more of the restrictions currently in place for the public, beginning on July 1, 2020, based on the Governor’s phase III DHM rules.HOURS OF OPERATION·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Monday-Friday: 8:00AM – 5:00PM – all public are required to use hand sanitizer upon entering the building.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Saturday and Sunday: Library is closed – the book drop will be open.RESTRICTIONS/MODIFICATIONS·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*NEW*&nbsp;Library is now open to people of all ages.&nbsp;Children ages 12 and under,&nbsp;must be accompanied by an adult.&nbsp;&nbsp;Adults and Children will be required to use hand sanitizer. Infants are expected to stay in a carrier or stroller. Hand Sanitizer usage is for the safety of all citizens to limit contamination of library materials by the virus.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*NEW*&nbsp;The drinking fountain is not available.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*NEW*&nbsp;A maximum of 50 people (excluding library staff)&nbsp;will be allowed in the facility at any time·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*NEW*&nbsp;The entire second floor library collections and services, including Computer Services, are now accessible to the public.&nbsp;In order to maintain social distancing in computer areas; a maximum of eight (8) public TLC (Technology Learning Center) computers, two (2) genealogy area computers and one (1) young adult computer area, will be made available. The first floor computers are now library catalog access only computers. Please note that due to social distancing guidelines, computer assistance is very limited.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*NEW*&nbsp;The Creation Station is now open with limited hours, by appointment only, with modifications and restrictions.&nbsp;Call 308-535-8036 X3320 to make an appointment.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*NEW*&nbsp;Group programming may be requested by contacting the Library Director. Due to social distancing guidelines, meeting room capacity is limited.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*NEW*&nbsp;Teens Explore will be held July 9, 16, and 23, 2020 at 4:00PM, with a maximum of twenty-four (24) participants and one (1) library staff member.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*NEW*&nbsp;All persons visiting the library will need to check in with a library teammate and use hand sanitizer before entering the main area of the library. All persons will be asked their name and required to use hand sanitizer (provided by the Library). This is for the safety of all citizens to limit contamination of library materials by the virus. Masks are encouraged, but not required.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*NEW*&nbsp;All library staff are encouraged (but not required) to wear masks&nbsp;and may be further protected as their comfort level dictates.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*NEW*&nbsp;Magazines and Newspapers&nbsp;will be available for the public to read. This is based on the early findings of the REALM Study (Reopening Archives, Libraries &amp; Museums):&nbsp;<a href="https://www.imls.gov/news/research-shows-virus-undetectable-five-highly-circulated-library-materials-after-three-days" target="_blank">https://www.imls.gov/news/research-shows-virus-undetectable-five-highly-circulated-library-materials-after-three-days</a>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A maximum time limit of 60 minutes per visit per day will be enforced.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Tables with a maximum of 6 chairs have been spaced 6 feet apart, to maintain social distancing.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All library materials must be returned through the book drop (not the front desk). The library’s book drop is open 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. All returned library materials are put through a 72 hour quarantine.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Public Restrooms are open, however they are only cleaned once a day and should only be used in an emergency situation.The North Platte Public Library reserves the right to modify (stricter or loosen) these provisions of service based on Health Care Directives from the West Central District Health Department and/or City of North Platte Administration.You are using the library at your own risk. The North Platte Public Library is not responsible if you contract coronavirus or any other communicable disease. We are taking all precautions to protect our staff and our patrons.

More restrictions to be loosened at North Platte Public Library July 1

LINCOLN, Neb. – Select state park area service centers will reopen to the public July 1 for customer service, information and permit sales.

Amenities such as interpretive displays and gift shops will not be available. Restrooms may be open. All park service center visitors must wear a face mask. A list of service centers opening on July 1 can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA2MjYuMjM1NjkxMzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vb3V0ZG9vcm5lYnJhc2thLmdvdi9oZWFsdGhpbmZvLyJ9.r9OCoyX6KYe3axvNYg6Zo0T6du2I7EawYRBF22WKgg0/s/497221905/br/80387569797-l" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.gov/healthinfo</a>.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is continuing to make services and amenities available and is committed to keeping the public and its staff safe during the COVID-19 health crisis.

"We are pleased to continue to provide great opportunities for outdoor recreation at our beautiful state parks and recreation areas and further restore additional services to safely serve our patrons," Game and Parks Director Jim Douglas said.

Additional restored services and amenities include:

• RV and tent camping returned to Danish Alps State Recreation Area in Dakota County on June 26. All campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and modern restrooms and showers are open.

• Guests again are able to enjoy restaurants at Platte River and Fort Robinson state parks as well as food service at the Fort Robinson Sutler’s Store and the marina at Lewis and Clark state recreation area. To ensure the safety of the public and employees, food service staff have implemented health department and Nebraska Restaurant Association recommendations. Self-serve options (salad bars, buffets, soda fountains) will not be available and menu selections may be reduced. To-go menu options will be available at some locations. For hours of operation, guests are advised to contact the park directly. Caddy’s Parkside Bar and Grille at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park opened earlier in June.

• The year-to-date reservation process will return July 1 for cabins, lodge rooms meeting rooms, group lodges, cabooses, pavilions, and picnic shelters. This does not affect RV and tent camping, which – until further notice – will continue to allow reservations no more than 30 days in advance.

• Special Occasion Permit applications for July will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Applicants may be required to include a safety protocol for maintaining social distancing, group sizing and proper hygiene.

• The outdoor shooting range at Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area will reopen July 1.

• Some limited educational and recreational programming at select state park areas will begin July 1.

For more information regarding state parks and the impacts of COVID-19, or to purchase a park entry permit, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA2MjYuMjM1NjkxMzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vb3V0ZG9vcm5lYnJhc2thLmdvdi8ifQ.lRLp5DwC5N8FWNJMqGMx2aWtIuK4BgzLFPLOvpZip4c/s/497221905/br/80387569797-l" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.org</a>. Find park contact information at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA2MjYuMjM1NjkxMzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vb3V0ZG9vcm5lYnJhc2thLmdvdi9zdGF0ZXBhcmtzLyJ9.o63LDAx2SyWSG0LcChenmQMaBqTlru9ps22V4QyLJ70/s/497221905/br/80387569797-l" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.gov/stateparks</a>.

LINCOLN, Neb. – Select state park area service centers will reopen to the public July 1 for customer service, information and permit sales.Amenities such as interpretive displays and gift shops will not be available. Restrooms may be open. All park service center visitors must wear a face mask. A list of service centers opening on July 1 can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA2MjYuMjM1NjkxMzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vb3V0ZG9vcm5lYnJhc2thLmdvdi9oZWFsdGhpbmZvLyJ9.r9OCoyX6KYe3axvNYg6Zo0T6du2I7EawYRBF22WKgg0/s/497221905/br/80387569797-l" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.gov/healthinfo</a>.The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is continuing to make services and amenities available and is committed to keeping the public and its staff safe during the COVID-19 health crisis."We are pleased to continue to provide great opportunities for outdoor recreation at our beautiful state parks and recreation areas and further restore additional services to safely serve our patrons," Game and Parks Director Jim Douglas said.Additional restored services and amenities include:• RV and tent camping returned to Danish Alps State Recreation Area in Dakota County on June 26. All campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and modern restrooms and showers are open.• Guests again are able to enjoy restaurants at Platte River and Fort Robinson state parks as well as food service at the Fort Robinson Sutler’s Store and the marina at Lewis and Clark state recreation area. To ensure the safety of the public and employees, food service staff have implemented health department and Nebraska Restaurant Association recommendations. Self-serve options (salad bars, buffets, soda fountains) will not be available and menu selections may be reduced. To-go menu options will be available at some locations. For hours of operation, guests are advised to contact the park directly. Caddy’s Parkside Bar and Grille at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park opened earlier in June.• The year-to-date reservation process will return July 1 for cabins, lodge rooms meeting rooms, group lodges, cabooses, pavilions, and picnic shelters. This does not affect RV and tent camping, which – until further notice – will continue to allow reservations no more than 30 days in advance.• Special Occasion Permit applications for July will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Applicants may be required to include a safety protocol for maintaining social distancing, group sizing and proper hygiene.• The outdoor shooting range at Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area will reopen July 1.• Some limited educational and recreational programming at select state park areas will begin July 1.For more information regarding state parks and the impacts of COVID-19, or to purchase a park entry permit, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA2MjYuMjM1NjkxMzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vb3V0ZG9vcm5lYnJhc2thLmdvdi8ifQ.lRLp5DwC5N8FWNJMqGMx2aWtIuK4BgzLFPLOvpZip4c/s/497221905/br/80387569797-l" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.org</a>. Find park contact information at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA2MjYuMjM1NjkxMzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vb3V0ZG9vcm5lYnJhc2thLmdvdi9zdGF0ZXBhcmtzLyJ9.o63LDAx2SyWSG0LcChenmQMaBqTlru9ps22V4QyLJ70/s/497221905/br/80387569797-l" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.gov/stateparks</a>.

Some state park service centers to reopen July 1

Justin R Reutzel, 40, North Platte and Naomi I Denton, 38, North Platte

Ross H Rasmussen, 26, North Platte and Bailey J Burkett, 27, North Platte

Jordan D Christner, 28, North Platte and Nicole A White 28, North Platte

Robert D DeVoe, 31, North Platte and Diane R Athey, 31, North Platte

Scott D Wilson 39, North Platte and Julie A Wilson, 42, North Platte

Jay J Miller, 38, North Platte and Jessica G Cruthers, 34, North Platte

Published June 26, 2020Justin R Reutzel, 40, North Platte and Naomi I Denton, 38, North PlatteRoss H Rasmussen, 26, North Platte and Bailey J Burkett, 27, North PlatteJordan D Christner, 28, North Platte and Nicole A White 28, North PlatteRobert D DeVoe, 31, North Platte and Diane R Athey, 31, North PlatteScott D Wilson 39, North Platte and Julie A Wilson, 42, North PlatteJay J Miller, 38, North Platte and Jessica G Cruthers, 34, North Platte

Lincoln County Marriage Licenses

North Platte Police remind citizens of fireworks regulations

LINCOLN, Neb.-Travelers are hitting the road in greater numbers as the state continues to move into a new phase of COVID-19 response. Most Nebraska counties are now in Phase III of reopening, as of Monday, June 22.

Nebraska State Troopers continue to report an increase in traffic throughout the state, which corresponds with figures reported by the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT). The latest NDOT stats show that traffic volume increased last week to within 10% of the 2016-2018 average, up from 35% below previous years’ average in the week of April 12.

“People are traveling more as things open up,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “There are things we can all do to make sure we have a safe summer here in Nebraska: watch your speed, avoid distractions, never drive impaired, use caution in construction zones, follow traffic safely laws, and always buckle up.”

As traffic volume has increased, the rate of excessive speeding on Nebraska roads has somewhat decreased. In the past month (May 26 - June 25), troopers have cited 83 speeders for driving at 100 miles per hour or more. In the 30 days prior to that (April 26 - May 25), troopers cited 129 such excessive speeders. Even with the decrease, June 2020 has still had more citations for driving 100 miles per hour or more than any month in 2019.

Troopers will continue to patrol Nebraska roads throughout the summer months to enforce traffic laws and assist motorists in need of help. If you see a dangerous driver, or need assistance, call *55 or 800-525-5555 to reach the NSP Highway Helpline.

LINCOLN, Neb.-Travelers are hitting the road in greater numbers as the state continues to move into a new phase of COVID-19 response. Most Nebraska counties are now in Phase III of reopening, as of Monday, June 22.Nebraska State Troopers continue to report an increase in traffic throughout the state, which corresponds with figures reported by the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT). The latest NDOT stats show that traffic volume increased last week to within 10% of the 2016-2018 average, up from 35% below previous years’ average in the week of April 12.“People are traveling more as things open up,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “There are things we can all do to make sure we have a safe summer here in Nebraska: watch your speed, avoid distractions, never drive impaired, use caution in construction zones, follow traffic safely laws, and always buckle up.”As traffic volume has increased, the rate of excessive speeding on Nebraska roads has somewhat decreased. In the past month (May 26 - June 25), troopers have cited 83 speeders for driving at 100 miles per hour or more. In the 30 days prior to that (April 26 - May 25), troopers cited 129 such excessive speeders. Even with the decrease, June 2020 has still had more citations for driving 100 miles per hour or more than any month in 2019.Troopers will continue to patrol Nebraska roads throughout the summer months to enforce traffic laws and assist motorists in need of help. If you see a dangerous driver, or need assistance, call *55 or 800-525-5555 to reach the NSP Highway Helpline.

NSP encourages safe driving as traffic volume increases

LINCOLN, Neb.-The U.S. health care system is complex, expensive and often inefficient. There is an explosion of new information, thanks to recent discoveries and technological advances, but the rate of change and sheer amount of data make it hard to keep up. Meanwhile, the electronic health record, while a needed innovation, has sometimes led to clinician burnout and escalating costs.

"Health care suffers because computers don't talk to one another," said John Windle, M.D., Holland Distinguished Chair of Cardiovascular Science at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Dr. Windle also is newly appointed director of the center, which aims to remedy these problems.

The establishment of this new center was approved today by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents.

The center, housed and centered administratively at UNMC, but extending also to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nebraska at Omaha and University of Nebraska at Kearney, will focus on artificial intelligence (AI), big data and precision in medicine.

"The vision of the UNMC Center for Intelligent Health Care is to bring technology to the health care team, optimizing the synergy among clinician, patient and computer," said UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D. "The leadership of this center of excellence has a unique vision and the experience to make a difference as we move beyond antiquated concepts into a new era of health and caring."

How? In the case of the UNMC Center for Intelligent Health Care, precision medicine means the delivery of the right information at the right time and in the right format to clinicians.

"Linking human cognition and artificial intelligence with good data, and the right algorithms and analytics will help us achieve that precision," Dr. Windle said.

"The university in a unique position," said Dele Davies, M.D., UNMC senior vice chancellor for academic affairs. "We have access to world-class faculty in clinical informatics. We have a strong, supportive clinical partner with Nebraska Medicine. We have strong collaboration with our academic partners at UNO, UNL and UNK to bring in the best techniques of algorithms and analytics in artificial intelligence, and we have the Interprofessional Experiential Center for Enduring Learning (iEXCEL) as a research and development partner for optimizing human and computer cognition."

The center will strive to attract and retain the best students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), as well as students in health care with an interest in clinical informatics and artificial intelligence. It is expected to serve as an economic driver for the state of Nebraska through the creation of new businesses that spin off from the center.

The offices of the chancellor and dean of the College of Medicine have pledged support for the initial start-up of $500,000 per year for the first three years.

LINCOLN, Neb.-The U.S. health care system is complex, expensive and often inefficient. There is an explosion of new information, thanks to recent discoveries and technological advances, but the rate of change and sheer amount of data make it hard to keep up. Meanwhile, the electronic health record, while a needed innovation, has sometimes led to clinician burnout and escalating costs."Health care suffers because computers don't talk to one another," said John Windle, M.D., Holland Distinguished Chair of Cardiovascular Science at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Dr. Windle also is newly appointed director of the center, which aims to remedy these problems.The establishment of this new center was approved today by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents.The center, housed and centered administratively at UNMC, but extending also to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nebraska at Omaha and University of Nebraska at Kearney, will focus on artificial intelligence (AI), big data and precision in medicine."The vision of the UNMC Center for Intelligent Health Care is to bring technology to the health care team, optimizing the synergy among clinician, patient and computer," said UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D. "The leadership of this center of excellence has a unique vision and the experience to make a difference as we move beyond antiquated concepts into a new era of health and caring."How? In the case of the UNMC Center for Intelligent Health Care, precision medicine means the delivery of the right information at the right time and in the right format to clinicians."Linking human cognition and artificial intelligence with good data, and the right algorithms and analytics will help us achieve that precision," Dr. Windle said."The university in a unique position," said Dele Davies, M.D., UNMC senior vice chancellor for academic affairs. "We have access to world-class faculty in clinical informatics. We have a strong, supportive clinical partner with Nebraska Medicine. We have strong collaboration with our academic partners at UNO, UNL and UNK to bring in the best techniques of algorithms and analytics in artificial intelligence, and we have the Interprofessional Experiential Center for Enduring Learning (iEXCEL) as a research and development partner for optimizing human and computer cognition."The center will strive to attract and retain the best students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), as well as students in health care with an interest in clinical informatics and artificial intelligence. It is expected to serve as an economic driver for the state of Nebraska through the creation of new businesses that spin off from the center.The offices of the chancellor and dean of the College of Medicine have pledged support for the initial start-up of $500,000 per year for the first three years.

Regents approve Univ. of Nebraska Center for Intelligent Health Care

Female dies after being struck by teen driver while walking in Kearney

Findings reported in June issue of national journal&nbsp;STEM CELLS

OMAHA-Individuals with glaucoma might one day benefit from a study published June 18 in the journal STEM CELLS in which a "disease in a dish" stem cell model was used to examine the mechanism in glaucoma that causes retinal ganglion cells and optic nerve to degenerate, resulting in loss of vision. The study could result in new therapeutic approaches for this leading cause of blindness worldwide.

"This is one more step in finding new methods to help treat glaucoma in people who suffer from this disease," said Iqbal Ahmad, Ph.D., a professor in the department of ophthalmology and visual sciences at UNMC. He and colleagues Pooja Teotia, Ph.D., and Meng Niu, Ph.D., conducted the study.

Located in the retina, retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are nerve cells that send images to the brain via the optic nerve and enable a person to see. Glaucoma attacks these cells, which are not replaced once they die. Researchers are trying to understand why and how glaucoma causes RGCs and the optic nerve to degenerate.

Stem cell modeling of the disease may shed light on this. Over the past decade, significant progress has been made using induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology to mimic glaucoma. This includes the generation of human RGCs from patients' iPSCs, which led to the development of a disease model for primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) -- the most common form of glaucoma -- as well as an optic nerve regeneration.

"These models allow us to test whether or not defects seen in glaucoma have their roots in the development of RGCs," Dr. Ahmad said. "We generate RGCs and their subtypes through normal developmental time and stages against which the developmental aspects of RGC abnormality can be evaluated in controlled conditions."

Information about different RGC subtypes is not only important from a functional viewpoint, but also for understanding the underlying mechanism of glaucomatous degeneration, given the emerging evidence that the susceptibility and resistance of RGCs are subtype dependent, he said.

To study the developmental onset of the disease and subtype abnormality Dr. Ahmad and his research team examined the molecular makeup of each of the cells generated in the POAG patient and healthy donor iPSCs using a technique called single cell transcriptome analysis.

These POAG patients contained a variation in a gene called SIX6, which plays a role in ocular development. Previous studies have identified a significant association between POAG and variation - called the risk allele - in SIX6.

The team observed that the general trajectories of RGC development in their model were similar between SIX6 risk allele and control RGCs.

"However," Dr. Ahmad said, "we observed that the differentiation of POAG-patient RGCs was stalled at a primitive developmental stage, keeping them immature and deficient in subtype composition, compared to those generated from healthy donor iPSCs."

Furthermore, Dr. Ahmad said, POAG-patient RGCs, as compared to healthy donor controls, expressed fewer genes that make some RGCs preferentially resistant to degeneration.

"The immature features of POAG-patient RGCs, deficient in genes that make them degeneration resistant, if persisted in adulthood may make them susceptible to degenerative changes that we observe in glaucoma," he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593181318445.png" alt="Iqbal Ahmad, Ph.D. (Photo: UNMC)" />
 <figcaption>Iqbal Ahmad, Ph.D. (Photo: UNMC)</figcaption>
 </figure>News Release (UNMC)Findings reported in June issue of national journal&nbsp;STEM CELLSOMAHA-Individuals with glaucoma might one day benefit from a study published June 18 in the journal STEM CELLS in which a "disease in a dish" stem cell model was used to examine the mechanism in glaucoma that causes retinal ganglion cells and optic nerve to degenerate, resulting in loss of vision. The study could result in new therapeutic approaches for this leading cause of blindness worldwide."This is one more step in finding new methods to help treat glaucoma in people who suffer from this disease," said Iqbal Ahmad, Ph.D., a professor in the department of ophthalmology and visual sciences at UNMC. He and colleagues Pooja Teotia, Ph.D., and Meng Niu, Ph.D., conducted the study.Located in the retina, retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are nerve cells that send images to the brain via the optic nerve and enable a person to see. Glaucoma attacks these cells, which are not replaced once they die. Researchers are trying to understand why and how glaucoma causes RGCs and the optic nerve to degenerate.Stem cell modeling of the disease may shed light on this. Over the past decade, significant progress has been made using induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology to mimic glaucoma. This includes the generation of human RGCs from patients' iPSCs, which led to the development of a disease model for primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) -- the most common form of glaucoma -- as well as an optic nerve regeneration."These models allow us to test whether or not defects seen in glaucoma have their roots in the development of RGCs," Dr. Ahmad said. "We generate RGCs and their subtypes through normal developmental time and stages against which the developmental aspects of RGC abnormality can be evaluated in controlled conditions."Information about different RGC subtypes is not only important from a functional viewpoint, but also for understanding the underlying mechanism of glaucomatous degeneration, given the emerging evidence that the susceptibility and resistance of RGCs are subtype dependent, he said.To study the developmental onset of the disease and subtype abnormality Dr. Ahmad and his research team examined the molecular makeup of each of the cells generated in the POAG patient and healthy donor iPSCs using a technique called single cell transcriptome analysis.These POAG patients contained a variation in a gene called SIX6, which plays a role in ocular development. Previous studies have identified a significant association between POAG and variation - called the risk allele - in SIX6.The team observed that the general trajectories of RGC development in their model were similar between SIX6 risk allele and control RGCs."However," Dr. Ahmad said, "we observed that the differentiation of POAG-patient RGCs was stalled at a primitive developmental stage, keeping them immature and deficient in subtype composition, compared to those generated from healthy donor iPSCs."Furthermore, Dr. Ahmad said, POAG-patient RGCs, as compared to healthy donor controls, expressed fewer genes that make some RGCs preferentially resistant to degeneration."The immature features of POAG-patient RGCs, deficient in genes that make them degeneration resistant, if persisted in adulthood may make them susceptible to degenerative changes that we observe in glaucoma," he said.

Researchers identify mechanism that may cause vision loss in glaucoma

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Post Podcast: NLD Concert memories Day 4: Brad Paisley, Lee Brice, Thomas Rhett, Florida Georgia Line

NORTH PLATTE, Neb.-The West Central District Health Department (WCDHD) has announced that Test Nebraska is coming to
North Platte. 
 
Test
Nebraska will be in North Platte on Friday June 26th&nbsp;and
Saturday June 27th from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. CST. The testing services
will be located at the North Platte Public School District Bus Barn,
1200 Industrial Avenue, North Platte, NE 69101 (just North of the
North Platte Post Office). 
 
Test
Nebraska services are free of charge and require no medical providers
order. 
 
If
you are interested in free testing, please sign up with Test
Nebraska’s link found below:
<a href="https://covid19testingne.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cJa8ezYYRQfZRCl">https://covid19testingne.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cJa8ezYYRQfZRCl</a> 
 
“Test
Nebraska is expanding our testing capacity and is a vital step in
getting back to normalcy”, said Shannon Vanderheiden, Executive
Director of WCDHD.

NORTH PLATTE, Neb.-The West Central District Health Department (WCDHD) has announced that Test Nebraska is coming to
North Platte. 
 
Test
Nebraska will be in North Platte on Friday June 26th&nbsp;and
Saturday June 27th from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. CST. The testing services
will be located at the North Platte Public School District Bus Barn,
1200 Industrial Avenue, North Platte, NE 69101 (just North of the
North Platte Post Office). 
 
Test
Nebraska services are free of charge and require no medical providers
order. 
 
If
you are interested in free testing, please sign up with Test
Nebraska’s link found below:
<a href="https://covid19testingne.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cJa8ezYYRQfZRCl">https://covid19testingne.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cJa8ezYYRQfZRCl</a> 
 
“Test
Nebraska is expanding our testing capacity and is a vital step in
getting back to normalcy”, said Shannon Vanderheiden, Executive
Director of WCDHD.

Test Nebraska in North Platte on Saturday

Although the last Democratic presidential candidate to win Nebraska was Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, members of the party were once competitive. Democrat Bob Kerry was elected governor and to the U.S. Senate in the 1980s and 1990s, and Ben Nelson served two terms as governor in the 1990s and was twice elected to the U.S. Senate. And in 2008, presidential candidate Barack Obama won in an Omaha-based congressional district, thus earning a single Electoral College vote under Nebraska's unusual system.

Jane Kleeb, the state party chairwoman, noted that when Howard Dean was the Democratic Party's chairman, its national committee had a 50-state strategy that guaranteed at least $25,000 a month to every state party regardless of its size. That period of 2005 to 2009 coincided with Nelson's re-election to U.S. Senate and Obama's Electoral College win.

In the typically competitive 2nd district, it's unclear how much it will damage Democrat Kara Eastman that the party's 2018 nominee for governor endorsed Republican incumbent Don Bacon.

Still, Fischer coasted to re-election with nearly 58% of the vote in a year when wins elsewhere enabled Democrats to take control of the House.

By GRANT SCHULTE-Associated Press OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - It's never been easy to be a Democrat in Nebraska, but somehow it keeps getting even harder.The 29% of Nebraska voters registered as Democrats is the smallest in at least 50 years, and that's only one indication of the party's problems.Just in the last week, the party&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/db5b8e0b714d76827262eb0381574312" target="_blank">urged its U.S. Senate nominee to resign</a>&nbsp;after he admitted to sending sexually offensive text messages to a campaign staffer and its nominee in a largely rural congressional district ditched the party so he could run on the "Legal Marijuana Now" ticket. That followed a recent Democratic nominee for governor endorsing the Republican in the state's sole competitive U.S. House district.The local Republican Party chapter in Omaha put it bluntly in a recent tweet: "Nebraska Dems have a dumpster fire on their hands."Or as former Nebraska Democratic Party executive director Paul Landow noted, "For a Democrat to win statewide office, something really crazy would have to happen."It wasn't always this way.Although the last Democratic presidential candidate to win Nebraska was Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, members of the party were once competitive. Democrat Bob Kerry was elected governor and to the U.S. Senate in the 1980s and 1990s, and Ben Nelson served two terms as governor in the 1990s and was twice elected to the U.S. Senate. And in 2008, presidential candidate Barack Obama won in an Omaha-based congressional district, thus earning a single Electoral College vote under Nebraska's unusual system.But more than a decade has passed since a Democrat won a statewide election, and Republican nominees now aren't even seriously challenged.Even some Republicans bemoan the situation."It's better to have competitive races, both in the primary and general elections," said J.L. Spray, a GOP national committee member and former state party chairman. "The voters should have a choice."Democrats say their biggest problem is a lack of money, and they argue the national party is short-changing states like Nebraska in favor of states seen as more competitive in presidential politics.Jane Kleeb, the state party chairwoman, noted that when Howard Dean was the Democratic Party's chairman, its national committee had a 50-state strategy that guaranteed at least $25,000 a month to every state party regardless of its size. That period of 2005 to 2009 coincided with Nelson's re-election to U.S. Senate and Obama's Electoral College win.Later, Kleeb said the party reduced Nebraska's monthly share to $2,500 a month before raising it again to $10,000. But by then, she said the party had ceded too much ground to Republicans and had grown disconnected from rural voters, who tend to turn out in greater proportions than those in Omaha and Lincoln."We're having to rebuild relationships with voters who feel like the party has turned its backs on them," said Kleeb, who published a book this year on how Democrats could win in rural America. "Rural voters used to see our faces and hear our voices, and those years are now gone."Kleeb said she's focused on rebuilding the party and trying to recruit strong candidates even though many are reluctant to jump into races with long odds.As the general election approaches, Democrats are facing a host of problems, starting with the effort to unseat Republican Sen. Ben Sasse.The Democratic nominee, Chris Janicek, was always a long shot, but after a staffer revealed he had sent her text messages asking whether his campaign ought to spend money "getting her laid," the party asked him to quit. Janicek has refused to step down, and under state law, the party can't force him off the ballot without his consent.Unless a replacement is found there will be no Democrat listed in the 3rd Congressional District. Nominee Mark Elworth Jr. had been the nominee but opted to run as a marijuana party candidate.In the typically competitive 2nd district, it's unclear how much it will damage Democrat Kara Eastman that the party's 2018 nominee for governor endorsed Republican incumbent Don Bacon.Democrats who have won in Nebraska said they're surprised how dramatically the state's political climate has shifted.When Kerrey, a decorated Navy SEAL, returned to Nebraska in 2012 to run for his old U.S. Senate seat, Republicans tagged him as an out-of-touch carpetbagger because he had been living in New York. Kerrey lost in a landslide to Republican Deb Fischer, a rancher and state senator."There was hardly any party when I ran in 2012," Kerrey said. "You get out of Omaha and Lincoln, and finding an elected Democrat is like hunting for a unicorn."The problem, Kerrey said, is about ideology as much as it is about money and reflects a leftward move of the national Democratic Party."If your conclusions about social and economic policy are in the minority, then you're going to be in the minority," Kerrey said.Even in the past, Democrats typically lost unless facing unpopular incumbents, said Kim Robak, a Democratic lieutenant governor under Nelson. Robak said Nelson was able to unseat then-Republican Gov. Kay Orr largely because Orr approved a tax package that some voters viewed as a tax increase."Since then, the Republicans have become a lot more careful," she said.Nebraska Democrats have fared somewhat better in local elections and the nonpartisan Legislature, but they're still relegated to the minority.Democrats thought they might have a winning candidate in Jane Raybould, a moderate Lincoln businesswoman and city councilwoman who ran for U.S. Senate in 2018. Raybould launched her campaign in the heat of President Donald Trump's trade war with China, outlining a pro-trade agenda as farmers struggled financially.Still, Fischer coasted to re-election with nearly 58% of the vote in a year when wins elsewhere enabled Democrats to take control of the House.Raybould said raising money was difficult as the state party's donor base is so small and out-of-state donors consider any Nebraska race to be unwinnable. Equally hard was convincing voters to consider a Democrat."It really is challenging to run for statewide office as a Democrat," she said. "You're already at a tremendous voter disadvantage. You're already facing an uphill battle."

Nebraska Democrats struggle with 'dumpster fire' reputation

News Release (Gov. Ricketts' Office)

Governor Pete Ricketts announced that Nebraska has received a major economic development award. &nbsp;For the second year in a row,&nbsp;Area Development—the leading executive magazine covering corporate site selection and relocation—has honored the State with a Silver Shovel. &nbsp;The award recognizes Nebraska’s successful recruitment of high-value, job-creating investment projects in 2019.

“Nebraska continues to attract major investments from internationally renowned job creators thanks to our hardworking people, welcoming communities, and business-friendly climate,” said Gov. Ricketts. &nbsp;“The Silver Shovel Award underscores our state’s reputation as a great place to invest and grow a business.”

The Gold and Silver Shovel Awards rank each state’s ten biggest investment or expansion projects on a combination of weighted factors including new jobs per capita, combined investments, new facilities, and industry diversity.&nbsp; Overall, the top ten projects in Nebraska created more than 900 jobs and totaled nearly $1.9 billion in new investment.&nbsp;

“The industry diversity represented by these ten projects—from technology, to manufacturing, to renewable energy—is the result of a pro-growth environment where any businesses or industry can be positioned to succeed,” said Nebraska Department of Economic Development Director Anthony L. Goins. &nbsp;“We are proud to once again be recognized for our strength at attracting world-class firms that create economic opportunities for the people of our state.”

This marks the third year since 2007 that Nebraska has taken home a Silver Shovel. &nbsp;See below for a full list of projects that contributed to this year’s victory.

Great Plains Beef, LLC – Meat Processing

Kawasaki Motors Mfg. Corp., USA - Aerospace

Monolith Materials, Inc. – Natural Gas Products

Thunderhead Wind Energy, LLC – Wind Energy

News Release (Gov. Ricketts' Office)Governor Pete Ricketts announced that Nebraska has received a major economic development award. &nbsp;For the second year in a row,&nbsp;Area Development—the leading executive magazine covering corporate site selection and relocation—has honored the State with a Silver Shovel. &nbsp;The award recognizes Nebraska’s successful recruitment of high-value, job-creating investment projects in 2019.“Nebraska continues to attract major investments from internationally renowned job creators thanks to our hardworking people, welcoming communities, and business-friendly climate,” said Gov. Ricketts. &nbsp;“The Silver Shovel Award underscores our state’s reputation as a great place to invest and grow a business.”The Gold and Silver Shovel Awards rank each state’s ten biggest investment or expansion projects on a combination of weighted factors including new jobs per capita, combined investments, new facilities, and industry diversity.&nbsp; Overall, the top ten projects in Nebraska created more than 900 jobs and totaled nearly $1.9 billion in new investment.&nbsp;“The industry diversity represented by these ten projects—from technology, to manufacturing, to renewable energy—is the result of a pro-growth environment where any businesses or industry can be positioned to succeed,” said Nebraska Department of Economic Development Director Anthony L. Goins. &nbsp;“We are proud to once again be recognized for our strength at attracting world-class firms that create economic opportunities for the people of our state.”This marks the third year since 2007 that Nebraska has taken home a Silver Shovel. &nbsp;See below for a full list of projects that contributed to this year’s victory.Company / IndustryAvansya – SweetenersGoogle – Data CenterGreat Plains Beef, LLC – Meat ProcessingKawasaki Motors Mfg. Corp., USA - AerospaceLinkedIn Corp. - ITMerck Animal Health - PharmaceuticalsMonolith Materials, Inc. – Natural Gas ProductsPlum Creek Wind, LLC – Wind EnergyThe Scoular Co. – Pet FoodsThunderhead Wind Energy, LLC – Wind Energy

Gov. Ricketts announces 2nd consecutive 'Silver Shovel' award for economic development

NORTH PLATTE, Neb.-When it comes to the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, local organizations and businesses have found themselves looking for funds to support programs and services they offer, often free of charge.

Eagle Radio and The Schmidt Foundation recently launched a matching funds fundraiser for The Bridge of Hope Child Advocacy Center in North Platte.

Local businesses and individuals donated to the cause and, on Thursday, Eagle Radio General Sales Manager Lewys Carlini presented Bridge of Hope representatives with a check for $5,200 to support programs and services they offer.

The Bridge of Hope Child Advocacy Center facilitates a child-focused approach to child abuse cases by coordinating investigation and intervention services, bringing together professionals and agencies as a multidisciplinary team. The key components of our Center include forensic interviewing, medical evaluations, advocacy and support, therapeutic intervention coordination, case review and tracking.&nbsp;

Eagle Radio and the Schmidt Foundation recently helped raise $16,000 for the North Platte Salvation Army food pantry.

Bob Schmidt, the longtime owner of Eagle Communications, was determined to continue to be a major contributor to projects important to Kansas and Nebraska through the Bob and Pat Schmidt Foundation. Fort Hays State University, Hays Medical Center, numerous civic groups, and industry groups have received his generous philanthropic support.

Eagle Radio operates local radio stations KELN (97.1 FM), KNPQ (107.3 FM), and KOOQ (98.1 FM/1410AM) as well as the North Platte Post.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593121537343.png" alt="Eagle Radio General Sales Manager Lewys Carlini presents a check to representatives of the Bridge of Hope Child Advocacy Center." />
 <figcaption>Eagle Radio General Sales Manager Lewys Carlini presents a check to representatives of the Bridge of Hope Child Advocacy Center.</figcaption>
 </figure>NORTH PLATTE, Neb.-When it comes to the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, local organizations and businesses have found themselves looking for funds to support programs and services they offer, often free of charge.Eagle Radio and The Schmidt Foundation recently launched a matching funds fundraiser for The Bridge of Hope Child Advocacy Center in North Platte.Local businesses and individuals donated to the cause and, on Thursday, Eagle Radio General Sales Manager Lewys Carlini presented Bridge of Hope representatives with a check for $5,200 to support programs and services they offer.The Bridge of Hope Child Advocacy Center facilitates a child-focused approach to child abuse cases by coordinating investigation and intervention services, bringing together professionals and agencies as a multidisciplinary team. The key components of our Center include forensic interviewing, medical evaluations, advocacy and support, therapeutic intervention coordination, case review and tracking.&nbsp;Eagle Radio and the Schmidt Foundation recently helped raise $16,000 for the North Platte Salvation Army food pantry.Bob Schmidt, the longtime owner of Eagle Communications, was determined to continue to be a major contributor to projects important to Kansas and Nebraska through the Bob and Pat Schmidt Foundation. Fort Hays State University, Hays Medical Center, numerous civic groups, and industry groups have received his generous philanthropic support.Eagle Radio operates local radio stations KELN (97.1 FM), KNPQ (107.3 FM), and KOOQ (98.1 FM/1410AM) as well as the North Platte Post.

Eagle Radio, Schmidt Foundation present $5,200 check to Bridge of Hope

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska is seeing fewer new cases of the coronavirus and its hospitals are well-positioned to treat patients, but that could change quickly if residents don't continue to take safety precautions, Gov. Pete Ricketts said Thursday.

Ricketts said the state is likely to see another uptick in virus cases due to relaxed social distancing restrictions as well as the recent mass protests over the death of George Floyd after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck.

Nebraska officials confirmed 129 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, a number has been trending down from the high of 677 on May 7, according to the state's online tracking portal. Hospital capacity remained relatively strong, with 38% of its regular beds, 44% of its intensive care unit beds and 80% of its ventilators available for patients.

"While we're in a good position right now, we can't get cocky," Ricketts said at a news conference. "We've got to continue to manage this."

Nebraska never imposed a formal stay-home order as many other states did, but Ricketts effectively closed restaurants and bars and forced the cancellation of large gathering to keep the virus from spreading. He has gradually&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/30d46c434c6c7246be0720627e300d4d" target="_blank">been easing those restrictions</a>, seeking to strike a balance between public health and the need to resume normal life.

Nebraska officials have confirmed 18,221 coronavirus cases since the pandemic began out of 163,368 people who were tested. Of those known cases, 257 people have died.

State officials also detailed some of their plans Thursday for how they intend to spend a small part of the $1.25 billion Nebraska received from the federal coronavirus relief package.

Dannette Smith, the CEO of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, said the state will set aside $85 million for nonprofit groups that help people who are struggling to feed or house themselves and people with mental health problems.

By GRANT SCHULTE-Associated Press LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska is seeing fewer new cases of the coronavirus and its hospitals are well-positioned to treat patients, but that could change quickly if residents don't continue to take safety precautions, Gov. Pete Ricketts said Thursday.Ricketts said the state is likely to see another uptick in virus cases due to relaxed social distancing restrictions as well as the recent mass protests over the death of George Floyd after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck.Nebraska officials confirmed 129 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, a number has been trending down from the high of 677 on May 7, according to the state's online tracking portal. Hospital capacity remained relatively strong, with 38% of its regular beds, 44% of its intensive care unit beds and 80% of its ventilators available for patients."While we're in a good position right now, we can't get cocky," Ricketts said at a news conference. "We've got to continue to manage this."Nebraska never imposed a formal stay-home order as many other states did, but Ricketts effectively closed restaurants and bars and forced the cancellation of large gathering to keep the virus from spreading. He has gradually&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/30d46c434c6c7246be0720627e300d4d" target="_blank">been easing those restrictions</a>, seeking to strike a balance between public health and the need to resume normal life.Nebraska officials have confirmed 18,221 coronavirus cases since the pandemic began out of 163,368 people who were tested. Of those known cases, 257 people have died.For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness.State officials also detailed some of their plans Thursday for how they intend to spend a small part of the $1.25 billion Nebraska received from the federal coronavirus relief package.Dannette Smith, the CEO of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, said the state will set aside $85 million for nonprofit groups that help people who are struggling to feed or house themselves and people with mental health problems.

Ricketts: 'We can't get cocky' with Nebraska virus response

The North Platte Noon Rotary put the idea of service above self into practice when several members of there club gathered at the Westfield Shopping Center to fill (then deliver and empty) a trailer full of food for various food banks in our community. 

This day was the culmination of efforts by club member Kendi McClain and her committee to raise funds through grants, matching funds and partnerships with Gary's Superfoods to provide $6,000 worth of food to community food banks. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593119049507.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The North Platte Noon Rotary put the idea of service above self into practice when several members of there club gathered at the Westfield Shopping Center to fill (then deliver and empty) a trailer full of food for various food banks in our community. This day was the culmination of efforts by club member Kendi McClain and her committee to raise funds through grants, matching funds and partnerships with Gary's Superfoods to provide $6,000 worth of food to community food banks. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593119218428.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

North Platte Noon Rotary, Gary's provide $6K in food for food pantries 

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Five years after Nebraska lawmakers approved a sweeping plan to reduce prison crowding, state officials are only marginally closer to fixing the problem despite millions of dollars in additional funding.

Nebraska is virtually certain to fall into an "overcrowding emergency" on Wednesday, having missed a state-imposed deadline to reduce its inmate population below 140% of what its facilities were designed to hold.

The emergency designation will force Nebraska officials to consider paroling all inmates who are eligible. It isn't expected to change much, however, because state prison and parole officials said they've already taken steps to speed up the process and they don't plan to deviate much from what they've already been doing.

Nebraska Board of Parole Chairwoman Rosalyn Cotton said the board will hold more parole hearings for eligible inmates, but noted that board members have already taken steps to help prisoners qualify earlier. She said the board isn't going to approve parole for inmates who are considered a public safety threat or who haven't completed rehabilitative programming.

"Every case will be considered on its own merit," Cotton said at a news conference.

About 85% of Nebraska's inmates aren't yet eligible for parole, according to the Department of Correctional Services. Of the 804 inmates who do qualify, 285 have been paroled before but have since returned to prison for violations. Additionally, 338 of the 804 parole-eligible inmates already have a hearing scheduled sometime within the next 18 months.

Lawmakers imposed Wednesday's deadline in a 2015 prison overhaul law, effectively ordering the prisons to drop the inmate population below 140% of what the prisons were designed to hold.

When lawmakers were developing the package in 2014, Nebraska's prisons housed 5,130 inmates in facilities that were designed to hold 3,275 - roughly 157% of the design capacity.

By GRANT SCHULTE-Associated Press LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Five years after Nebraska lawmakers approved a sweeping plan to reduce prison crowding, state officials are only marginally closer to fixing the problem despite millions of dollars in additional funding.Nebraska is virtually certain to fall into an "overcrowding emergency" on Wednesday, having missed a state-imposed deadline to reduce its inmate population below 140% of what its facilities were designed to hold.The emergency designation will force Nebraska officials to consider paroling all inmates who are eligible. It isn't expected to change much, however, because state prison and parole officials said they've already taken steps to speed up the process and they don't plan to deviate much from what they've already been doing.Nebraska Board of Parole Chairwoman Rosalyn Cotton said the board will hold more parole hearings for eligible inmates, but noted that board members have already taken steps to help prisoners qualify earlier. She said the board isn't going to approve parole for inmates who are considered a public safety threat or who haven't completed rehabilitative programming."Every case will be considered on its own merit," Cotton said at a news conference.About 85% of Nebraska's inmates aren't yet eligible for parole, according to the Department of Correctional Services. Of the 804 inmates who do qualify, 285 have been paroled before but have since returned to prison for violations. Additionally, 338 of the 804 parole-eligible inmates already have a hearing scheduled sometime within the next 18 months.Lawmakers imposed Wednesday's deadline in a 2015 prison overhaul law, effectively ordering the prisons to drop the inmate population below 140% of what the prisons were designed to hold.When lawmakers were developing the package in 2014, Nebraska's prisons housed 5,130 inmates in facilities that were designed to hold 3,275 - roughly 157% of the design capacity.As of Thursday morning, the percentage had been reduced to 151% of the prison system's design capacity, with a total of 5,336 inmates in custody. Department of Correctional Services Director Scott Frakes said the prisons have been above 140% of their capacity since 2009, despite adding more prison space to accommodate a net increase in prisoners."Nebraska doesn't have a lot of low-level drug offenders who haven't been released," Frakes said.Frakes said he also will push for a new prison in an area with an adequate workforce to support its operations. Nebraska's prisons have struggled to hire and retain employees at many of its facilities, and those challenges are magnified in rural areas.The announcement didn't sit well with one prominent prisoner advocacy group."For years, the Department of Correctional Services has asked for space and grace," said Danielle Conrad, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska. "Now that the clock has run out, their only idea is to funnel more taxpayer dollars into their department so they can build a new prison."Conrad said the approach is "disappointing and inadequate," and called on Gov. Pete Ricketts and lawmakers to approve sentencing reform laws and additional rehabilitative programming for inmates.Lawmakers have previously attempted to change Nebraska's criminal sentencing laws to reduce the number of prisoners entering the system, but many of those efforts have failed amid opposition from prosecutors and conservative state officials. One law that reduced penalties for some crimes didn't work as well as intended, in part because of an uptick in prisoners entering the system.Ricketts said Thursday that his administration has asked lawmakers for $170 million for the state prisons since he took office, but an increase in offenders entering the system is partly to blame."We've got a lot of moving variables here," he said.In February, Nebraska's inspector general for corrections said lawmakers need to continue monitoring the corrections department and working to fix the problem. He said at the time that building a community corrections center in Omaha for lower-risk offenders would help ease pressure on the other prisons.Officials also announced Thursday that they'll soon allow prison visits during the week of July 13, after banning them due to the coronavirus.