KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) - Three troubled youths have been charged with assaulting employees at the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center in Kearney.

Buffalo County Attorney Shawn Eatherton said in a news release Friday that the three had used bed frame pieces in the Feb. 7 attacks. Three employees were taken to a hospital for treatment.

Charges against the three include felony assault and aiding and abetting assault. The Associated Press generally doesn't name juveniles accused of crimes.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/b29a41298458fde476f32ff647e8c741" target="_blank">facility</a>&nbsp;has been facing problems with violence and escapes. There were more than three dozen escapes last year, up from four in 2018. The number surged despite a 10-foot-high (3-meters-) fence that officials installed in July to deter escapes. Other employees have been attacked as well.

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) - Three troubled youths have been charged with assaulting employees at the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center in Kearney.Buffalo County Attorney Shawn Eatherton said in a news release Friday that the three had used bed frame pieces in the Feb. 7 attacks. Three employees were taken to a hospital for treatment.Charges against the three include felony assault and aiding and abetting assault. The Associated Press generally doesn't name juveniles accused of crimes.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/b29a41298458fde476f32ff647e8c741" target="_blank">facility</a>&nbsp;has been facing problems with violence and escapes. There were more than three dozen escapes last year, up from four in 2018. The number surged despite a 10-foot-high (3-meters-) fence that officials installed in July to deter escapes. Other employees have been attacked as well.

3 youths charged with assaulting workers at Kearney center

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (NSP)-Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) have arrested a North Platte man on several charges following a pursuit Thursday afternoon.

At approximately 1:50 p.m. Thursday, a trooper attempted a traffic stop on a Lincoln Navigator for displaying fictitious license plates near 14th&nbsp;and Buffalo streets in North Platte. The vehicle fled at a high rate of speed to the west. The trooper initiated a pursuit as the vehicle then turned north out of North Platte.

The Navigator then drove through two cornfields before coming to a stop near the Buffalo Bill Campground. The driver then fled on foot but was quickly apprehended by troopers.

The driver, Rickey Russell, 53, of North Platte, was arrested on suspicion operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, obstructing a peace officer, fictitious license plates, driving under suspension, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He also had an active Lincoln County warrant. Russell was lodged in Lincoln County Jail.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582889767894.png" alt="Rickey Russell" />
 <figcaption>Rickey Russell</figcaption>
 </figure>NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (NSP)-Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) have arrested a North Platte man on several charges following a pursuit Thursday afternoon.At approximately 1:50 p.m. Thursday, a trooper attempted a traffic stop on a Lincoln Navigator for displaying fictitious license plates near 14th&nbsp;and Buffalo streets in North Platte. The vehicle fled at a high rate of speed to the west. The trooper initiated a pursuit as the vehicle then turned north out of North Platte.The Navigator then drove through two cornfields before coming to a stop near the Buffalo Bill Campground. The driver then fled on foot but was quickly apprehended by troopers.The driver, Rickey Russell, 53, of North Platte, was arrested on suspicion operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, obstructing a peace officer, fictitious license plates, driving under suspension, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He also had an active Lincoln County warrant. Russell was lodged in Lincoln County Jail.

North Platte man arrested following pursuit through fields

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Today's Community Calendar

By Brian Wasson, Scottsbluff Police Captain&nbsp;

The Scottsbluff Police Department would like to update the public on the investigation of the missing 18-year-old Maci Baily and 29 year-old Beau Gealy.

During the course of this investigation, video was obtained from local businesses from the early morning hours of Tuesday February 18, 2020 and the late evening hours of Tuesday February 18th, 2020.&nbsp;

Investigators from the Scottsbluff Police Department and the Scotts Bluff Sheriff’s Office continue to work together on this investigation.

Beau Gealy’s 2002 Ford F-150 Crew Cab pickup has also not been located. The Nebraska Commercial License Plate Number is 21-491P.

Anyone with any information about the whereabouts of either individual is also requested to contact the investigating agency or Crime Stoppers at (308) 632-STOP.

Beau Gealy’s photographs are from the early morning hours of Tuesday February 18th, 2020:

By Brian Wasson, Scottsbluff Police Captain&nbsp;The Scottsbluff Police Department would like to update the public on the investigation of the missing 18-year-old Maci Baily and 29 year-old Beau Gealy.During the course of this investigation, video was obtained from local businesses from the early morning hours of Tuesday February 18, 2020 and the late evening hours of Tuesday February 18th, 2020.&nbsp;Investigators from the Scottsbluff Police Department and the Scotts Bluff Sheriff’s Office continue to work together on this investigation.Beau Gealy’s 2002 Ford F-150 Crew Cab pickup has also not been located. The Nebraska Commercial License Plate Number is 21-491P.Anyone with any information about the whereabouts of either individual is also requested to contact the investigating agency or Crime Stoppers at (308) 632-STOP.Beau Gealy’s photographs are from the early morning hours of Tuesday February 18th, 2020:<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582857410008.png" alt="-Beau Gealy’s photographs are from the early morning hours of Tuesday February 18th, 2020." />
 <figcaption>-Beau Gealy’s photographs are from the early morning hours of Tuesday February 18th, 2020.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582857452731.png" alt="-Maci Baily’s photographs are from the late evening hours of Tuesday February 18th, 2020." />
 <figcaption>-Maci Baily’s photographs are from the late evening hours of Tuesday February 18th, 2020.</figcaption>
 </figure>

Panhandle police continue to search for Beau Gealy, Maci Bailey

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Vaping inside restaurants, stores and other public buildings could soon be banned under a bill Nebraska lawmakers advanced Thursday.

The measure moved through the first of three required votes, 31-2.

Sen. Dan Quick, of Grand Island, said he introduced it to protect non-smokers from potential health risks from the vapors each device produces. Retail outlets that sell vaping devices would be exempt.

Some lawmakers argued the measure was too broad and could unintentionally including items such as humidifiers. They also argued that recent deaths from vaping were caused by people vaping marijuana, not using the regulated cartridges sold in stores.

Quick said he plans to continue working on the bill before lawmakers consider it for final approval. Two additional votes are required before it goes to the governor.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Vaping inside restaurants, stores and other public buildings could soon be banned under a bill Nebraska lawmakers advanced Thursday.The measure moved through the first of three required votes, 31-2.Sen. Dan Quick, of Grand Island, said he introduced it to protect non-smokers from potential health risks from the vapors each device produces. Retail outlets that sell vaping devices would be exempt.Some lawmakers argued the measure was too broad and could unintentionally including items such as humidifiers. They also argued that recent deaths from vaping were caused by people vaping marijuana, not using the regulated cartridges sold in stores.Quick said he plans to continue working on the bill before lawmakers consider it for final approval. Two additional votes are required before it goes to the governor.

Indoor vaping ban wins first-round approval in Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A Lincoln-based judge on Wednesday blocked plans by a Grand Island horse track to install casino slot-like machines that would allow patrons to bet on previously run horse races.

Lancaster County District Judge Andrew Jacobsen granted a temporary injunction sought by Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson in his lawsuit seeking to declare the machine bets illegal.

The state's lawsuit, which was filed last month, alleges that the Nebraska State Racing Commission approved so-called "historical horse racing" even after state lawyers advised the commission that the machines violate state law and the Nebraska Constitution's prohibition of casino gambling.

The commission's vote last July to allow the machines at Fonner Park in Grand Island amounted to a "unilateral decision to expand gambling without action by the Legislature or the citizens of Nebraska," the attorney general's office said when the lawsuit was filed.

In a written statement Wednesday, Peterson criticized the three members of the five-member commission who voted to allow the machines. The result, he said, it that the commission "has incurred the expenses of hiring outside counsel ... a cost to the state that could have easily and properly been avoided.

Tom Sage, the director of the commission, and the commission's attorney declined Wednesday to comment on the ruling.

Lawmakers have considered measures to legalize the machines in the past but rejected them amid arguments that they're too similar to casino slots. The machines allow players to bet on old, previously recorded horse races that are shown on a video monitor. Information that could identify the races is removed. Supporters have said the machines are constitutional because Nebraska does allow bets on horse racing at state-licensed tracks.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A Lincoln-based judge on Wednesday blocked plans by a Grand Island horse track to install casino slot-like machines that would allow patrons to bet on previously run horse races.Lancaster County District Judge Andrew Jacobsen granted a temporary injunction sought by Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson in his lawsuit seeking to declare the machine bets illegal.The state's lawsuit, which was filed last month, alleges that the Nebraska State Racing Commission approved so-called "historical horse racing" even after state lawyers advised the commission that the machines violate state law and the Nebraska Constitution's prohibition of casino gambling.The commission's vote last July to allow the machines at Fonner Park in Grand Island amounted to a "unilateral decision to expand gambling without action by the Legislature or the citizens of Nebraska," the attorney general's office said when the lawsuit was filed.In a written statement Wednesday, Peterson criticized the three members of the five-member commission who voted to allow the machines. The result, he said, it that the commission "has incurred the expenses of hiring outside counsel ... a cost to the state that could have easily and properly been avoided.Tom Sage, the director of the commission, and the commission's attorney declined Wednesday to comment on the ruling.Lawmakers have considered measures to legalize the machines in the past but rejected them amid arguments that they're too similar to casino slots. The machines allow players to bet on old, previously recorded horse races that are shown on a video monitor. Information that could identify the races is removed. Supporters have said the machines are constitutional because Nebraska does allow bets on horse racing at state-licensed tracks.

Judge blocks track's plan for horse-race betting machines

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska lawmakers who for decades have allowed gun owners to openly carry rifles and handguns in most public spaces may be carving out one new exception to that right - at their own workplace in the Capitol.

Some state lawmakers in the nonpartisan Legislature promised Thursday to push for a new ban on guns at the Nebraska Capitol after activists appeared at a legislative hearing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/88b9dd6f34d930704273bd03fa0835f8" target="_blank">with loaded, semiautomatic rifles&nbsp;</a>to protest a series of gun-control bills.

The display last week terrified and infuriated some lawmakers, who called it an intimidation tactic, and even some gun-rights supporters said the protesters shouldn't have done it. On Thursday, some lawmakers said they had seen online comments from one of those gun owners praising a social media post that said, "Kill your local politician."

"I don't have words for how upset I am," said a visibly angry Sen. Adam Morfeld, of Lincoln. "I'm upset, but I'm not scared. I'm not scared of these people, but I'm ashamed that members of this Legislature had to go through this."

Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh, of Omaha, who introduced one of the gun control bills, said she was "disappointed and disheartened" that very few of her 48 fellow senators had spoken publicly about the incident.

Cavanaugh said she plans to propose a legislative rule change next week to prohibit members of the public from bringing guns into the building. Last week, she said she felt threatened by show of guns behind her as she testified on her bill.

"I hope all 48 of you are prepared to send cards to my children if something happens to me," she said through tears.

It's unclear whether enough lawmakers would support a firearms ban at the Capitol. Some senators criticized last week's display, but noted that the protesters were within their rights.

"It was not needed in the state Capitol that day, but they have a right to do that," said Sen. Mike Groene, of North Platte.

Groene, a blunt-spoken conservative, said he and his family have faced threats in the past because he supports capital punishment and opposes abortion. In those cases, he said he reported the threats to the Nebraska State Patrol.

Nebraska prohibits concealed guns in the Capitol but allows gun owners to carry their firearms openly, except on the legislative floor or the balconies above it. Guns are also banned in Nebraska's appellate courts, the only place in the Capitol where metal detectors are commonly used.

And even though lawmakers have let gun owners to carry openly, they've also allowed local cities and counties to impose their own restrictions. In Omaha, for instance, gun owners can only display handguns if they have an "open carry" permit issued by the Nebraska State Patrol.

Similar conflicts have sprouted up in statehouses nationwide. In Idaho, an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/721bb463922ef156626ef839abf40b9a" target="_blank">11 year-old girl toted a loaded AR-15 assault weapon</a>&nbsp;into a legislative hearing Monday with her grandfather to support a proposal that would allow visitors to Idaho who can legally possess firearms to carry a concealed handgun within city limits. In Kentucky, gun-rights supporters dressed in camouflage and ski masks posed for photos with their assault rifles at a similar event.

Last month,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/9f2235a81bad59cb322d290d4ef83136" target="_blank">Virginia lawmakers banned guns</a>&nbsp;at the state Capitol despite bitter protests from Republicans who argued that guns protect public safety.

Sen. Mike Hilgers, chairman of the Nebraska Legislature's Executive Board, which oversees security issues, said he is in talks with the governor's office, courts and the Nebraska State Patrol to try to find a solution.

"The first priority that I have is the protection and safety of the members (of the Legislature) and the people who work here," said Hilgers, of Lincoln.

Sen. Ernie Chambers, who is known for making inflammatory statements, said he had received scores of threats from "cowardly white people" over his 46-year legislative career, and he didn't care if they carried guns in the Capitol.

The Omaha senator said the gun owners brought their firearms "to protect themselves from me. I'm the one they fear, I'm the one they hate."

"I cannot be intimidated," said Chambers, who is black. "These cowards look ridiculous."

By GRANT SCHULTE-Associated PressLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska lawmakers who for decades have allowed gun owners to openly carry rifles and handguns in most public spaces may be carving out one new exception to that right - at their own workplace in the Capitol.Some state lawmakers in the nonpartisan Legislature promised Thursday to push for a new ban on guns at the Nebraska Capitol after activists appeared at a legislative hearing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/88b9dd6f34d930704273bd03fa0835f8" target="_blank">with loaded, semiautomatic rifles&nbsp;</a>to protest a series of gun-control bills.The display last week terrified and infuriated some lawmakers, who called it an intimidation tactic, and even some gun-rights supporters said the protesters shouldn't have done it. On Thursday, some lawmakers said they had seen online comments from one of those gun owners praising a social media post that said, "Kill your local politician.""I don't have words for how upset I am," said a visibly angry Sen. Adam Morfeld, of Lincoln. "I'm upset, but I'm not scared. I'm not scared of these people, but I'm ashamed that members of this Legislature had to go through this."Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh, of Omaha, who introduced one of the gun control bills, said she was "disappointed and disheartened" that very few of her 48 fellow senators had spoken publicly about the incident.Cavanaugh said she plans to propose a legislative rule change next week to prohibit members of the public from bringing guns into the building. Last week, she said she felt threatened by show of guns behind her as she testified on her bill."I hope all 48 of you are prepared to send cards to my children if something happens to me," she said through tears.It's unclear whether enough lawmakers would support a firearms ban at the Capitol. Some senators criticized last week's display, but noted that the protesters were within their rights."It was not needed in the state Capitol that day, but they have a right to do that," said Sen. Mike Groene, of North Platte.Groene, a blunt-spoken conservative, said he and his family have faced threats in the past because he supports capital punishment and opposes abortion. In those cases, he said he reported the threats to the Nebraska State Patrol.Nebraska prohibits concealed guns in the Capitol but allows gun owners to carry their firearms openly, except on the legislative floor or the balconies above it. Guns are also banned in Nebraska's appellate courts, the only place in the Capitol where metal detectors are commonly used.And even though lawmakers have let gun owners to carry openly, they've also allowed local cities and counties to impose their own restrictions. In Omaha, for instance, gun owners can only display handguns if they have an "open carry" permit issued by the Nebraska State Patrol.Similar conflicts have sprouted up in statehouses nationwide. In Idaho, an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/721bb463922ef156626ef839abf40b9a" target="_blank">11 year-old girl toted a loaded AR-15 assault weapon</a>&nbsp;into a legislative hearing Monday with her grandfather to support a proposal that would allow visitors to Idaho who can legally possess firearms to carry a concealed handgun within city limits. In Kentucky, gun-rights supporters dressed in camouflage and ski masks posed for photos with their assault rifles at a similar event.Last month,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/9f2235a81bad59cb322d290d4ef83136" target="_blank">Virginia lawmakers banned guns</a>&nbsp;at the state Capitol despite bitter protests from Republicans who argued that guns protect public safety.Sen. Mike Hilgers, chairman of the Nebraska Legislature's Executive Board, which oversees security issues, said he is in talks with the governor's office, courts and the Nebraska State Patrol to try to find a solution."The first priority that I have is the protection and safety of the members (of the Legislature) and the people who work here," said Hilgers, of Lincoln.Sen. Ernie Chambers, who is known for making inflammatory statements, said he had received scores of threats from "cowardly white people" over his 46-year legislative career, and he didn't care if they carried guns in the Capitol.The Omaha senator said the gun owners brought their firearms "to protect themselves from me. I'm the one they fear, I'm the one they hate.""I cannot be intimidated," said Chambers, who is black. "These cowards look ridiculous."

Nebraska lawmakers consider banning guns at state Capitol

OMAHA, Neb (Creighton Univ.)-<a></a>
While confirmed coronavirus cases
in the United States remain low, impacts are already being felt by
manufacturers across the Midwest, according to recent survey data.
Creighton University economics professor Ernie Goss, Ph.D. has been
actively monitoring the economic impacts as they unfold.

“All
eyes are on the spread of coronavirus, which has disrupted global
supply chains and become a major contributor to a global economic
slowdown,” Goss said.

Early
results of the Mid America Business Conditions Index, a survey of
manufacturing supply managers conducted this month by Creighton
University in nine mid-American states, including Nebraska and Iowa,
shows that coronavirus is influencing business.

In
the survey, which will be officially released on Monday, March 2,
four in 10 manufacturers reported a negative impact from coronavirus
– 27% said the outbreak of coronavirus has pushed their company to
switch vendors, 27% report reducing international buying. Of the
manufacturers switching vendors, 24% are transferring service to
domestic suppliers. 


“The
economy has been slowing for the better part of a year. The SARS
virus in 2003 had a big, negative impact on the overall economy.
Coronavirus could be similar and put a short-term dent in the
regional economy,” Goss said.  


The
coronavirus outbreak has already caused more than one-third (38%) of
Midwest manufacturers surveyed to rethink vendor choices with 20%
seeking to rely on vendors closer to home.

About
Creighton University: Creighton
University in Omaha, Nebraska, enrolls 4,255 undergraduates and 4,399
graduate and professional students among nine schools and colleges.
No other university its size offers students such a comprehensive
academic environment with personal attention from faculty mentors.
Jesuit and Catholic, it affords incomparable inter-professional
education, bridging eight health professions programs with law,
business and the arts and sciences – all on one walkable campus.
Creighton University ranks in the top third of&nbsp;U.S. News &amp;
World Report’s rankings for National Universities.

OMAHA, Neb (Creighton Univ.)-<a></a>
While confirmed coronavirus cases
in the United States remain low, impacts are already being felt by
manufacturers across the Midwest, according to recent survey data.
Creighton University economics professor Ernie Goss, Ph.D. has been
actively monitoring the economic impacts as they unfold. 
“All
eyes are on the spread of coronavirus, which has disrupted global
supply chains and become a major contributor to a global economic
slowdown,” Goss said.Early
results of the Mid America Business Conditions Index, a survey of
manufacturing supply managers conducted this month by Creighton
University in nine mid-American states, including Nebraska and Iowa,
shows that coronavirus is influencing business.In
the survey, which will be officially released on Monday, March 2,
four in 10 manufacturers reported a negative impact from coronavirus
– 27% said the outbreak of coronavirus has pushed their company to
switch vendors, 27% report reducing international buying. Of the
manufacturers switching vendors, 24% are transferring service to
domestic suppliers. 
“The
economy has been slowing for the better part of a year. The SARS
virus in 2003 had a big, negative impact on the overall economy.
Coronavirus could be similar and put a short-term dent in the
regional economy,” Goss said. 
The
coronavirus outbreak has already caused more than one-third (38%) of
Midwest manufacturers surveyed to rethink vendor choices with 20%
seeking to rely on vendors closer to home.About
Creighton University: Creighton
University in Omaha, Nebraska, enrolls 4,255 undergraduates and 4,399
graduate and professional students among nine schools and colleges.
No other university its size offers students such a comprehensive
academic environment with personal attention from faculty mentors.
Jesuit and Catholic, it affords incomparable inter-professional
education, bridging eight health professions programs with law,
business and the arts and sciences – all on one walkable campus.
Creighton University ranks in the top third of&nbsp;U.S. News &amp;
World Report’s rankings for National Universities.

Survey results show coronavirus impact spreading in the Midwest economy

NORTH PLATTE, Neb.-A 32-year-old North Platte man was arrested Wednesday evening on allegations of domestic violence.

According to North Platte police, at around 6:33 p.m., officers responded to the report of an assault in the 900 block of West 11th Street.

Police say officers arrived and met with a female who reported that she and Jeffrey Cooper had been involved in an argument.

During the argument, the victim told officers that Cooper had placed his arms around her neck. The victim stated to police that Cooper began applying pressure and cut of her airway for a couple of seconds.

Police say the victim stated that Cooper then let her go and she was able to contact law enforcement.

Following further investigation, officers determined that there was probable cause to arrest Cooper on suspicion of 3rd-degree domestic assault and strangulation.

Cooper was transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center and jailed pending an appearance in County Court.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582805756936.png" alt="Jeffrey Cooper" />
 <figcaption>Jeffrey Cooper</figcaption>
 </figure>By POST STAFFNORTH PLATTE, Neb.-A 32-year-old North Platte man was arrested Wednesday evening on allegations of domestic violence.According to North Platte police, at around 6:33 p.m., officers responded to the report of an assault in the 900 block of West 11th Street.Police say officers arrived and met with a female who reported that she and Jeffrey Cooper had been involved in an argument.During the argument, the victim told officers that Cooper had placed his arms around her neck. The victim stated to police that Cooper began applying pressure and cut of her airway for a couple of seconds.Police say the victim stated that Cooper then let her go and she was able to contact law enforcement.Following further investigation, officers determined that there was probable cause to arrest Cooper on suspicion of 3rd-degree domestic assault and strangulation.Cooper was transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center and jailed pending an appearance in County Court.

North Platte man arrested on domestic violence allegations

Today is Thursday, Feb. 27, the 58th day of 2020. There are 308 days left in the year.

On Feb. 27, 1922, the Supreme Court, in Leser v. Garnett, unanimously upheld the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which guaranteed the right of women to vote.

In 1801, the District of Columbia was placed under the jurisdiction of Congress.

In 1814, Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 8 in F major, Op. 93, was first performed in Vienna.

In 1933, Germany's parliament building, the Reichstag (RYKS'-tahg, was gutted by fire; Chancellor Adolf Hitler, blaming the Communists, used the fire to justify suspending civil liberties.

In 1939, the Supreme Court, in National Labor Relations Board v. Fansteel Metallurgical Corp., effectively outlawed sit-down strikes.

In 1943, during World War II, Norwegian commandos launched a successful raid to sabotage a German-operated heavy water plant in Norway. An explosion inside a coal mine near Bearcreek, Montana, killed 74 miners and one rescue worker. The U.S. government, responding to a copper shortage, began circulating one-cent coins made of steel plated with zinc (the steel pennies proved unpopular, since they were easily mistaken for dimes).

In 1951, the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, limiting a president to two terms of office, was ratified.

In 1960, the U.S. Olympic hockey team defeated the Soviets, 3-2, at the Winter Games in Squaw Valley, California. (The U.S. team went on to win the gold medal.)

In 1973, members of the American Indian Movement occupied the hamlet of Wounded Knee in South Dakota, the site of the 1890 massacre of Sioux men, women and children. (The occupation lasted until the following May.)

In 1982, Wayne Williams was found guilty of murdering two of the 28 young blacks whose bodies were found in the Atlanta area over a 22-month period. (Williams, who was also blamed for 22 other deaths, has maintained his innocence.)

In 1991, Operation Desert Storm came to a conclusion as President George H.W. Bush declared that "Kuwait is liberated, Iraq's army is defeated," and announced that the allies would suspend combat operations at midnight, Eastern time.

In 1998, with the approval of Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's House of Lords agreed to end 1,000 years of male preference by giving a monarch's first-born daughter the same claim to the throne as any first-born son.

In 2002, at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, Alicia Keys won five prizes, including song of the year for "Fallin’”; Irish rockers U2 won four Grammys, including record of the year for "Walk On"; album of the year went to the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack.

Ten years ago: In Chile, an 8.8 magnitude earthquake and tsunami killed 524 people, caused $30 billion in damage and left more than 200,000 homeless. Steven Holcomb drove USA-1 to the Olympic gold medal in four-man bobsledding in Vancouver, ending a 62-year drought for the Americans in the event.

Five years ago: Actor Leonard Nimoy, 83, world famous to "Star Trek" fans as the pointy-eared, purely logical science officer Mr. Spock, died in Los Angeles. In Tyrone, Missouri, Joseph Jesse Aldridge, 36, a man who authorities said might have been unhinged by the death of his ailing mother, was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after apparently killing seven people in a house-to-house shooting rampage. Boris Nemtsov, a charismatic Russian opposition leader and sharp critic of President Vladimir Putin, was gunned down near the Kremlin.

One year ago: President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un projected optimism as they opened high-stakes talks in Vietnam about curbing Pyongyang’s pursuit of nuclear weapons. In testimony to a House panel, Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump’s former lawyer, cast Trump as a racist and a con man who had used his inner circle to cover up politically damaging allegations about sex, and who had lied during the election campaign about his business interests in Russia. The House approved a measure requiring federal background checks for all firearms sales and transfers, as a handful of Republicans joined Democrats in the first major gun control legislation considered by Congress in nearly 25 years. (The legislation was not taken up by the Senate.)

Today's Birthdays: Actress Joanne Woodward is 90. Consumer advocate Ralph Nader is 86. Actress Barbara Babcock is 83. Actor Howard Hesseman is 80. Actress Debra Monk is 71. Rock singer-musician Neal Schon (Journey) is 66. Rock musician Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden) is 63. Actor Timothy Spall is 63. Rock musician Paul Humphreys (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark) is 60. Country singer Johnny Van Zant (Van Zant) is 60. Rock musician Leon Mobley (Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals) is 59. Basketball Hall of Famer James Worthy is 59. Actor Adam Baldwin is 58. Actor Grant Show is 58. Rock musician Mike Cross (Sponge) is 55. Actor Noah Emmerich is 55. Actor Donal Logue (DOH'-nuhl LOHG) is 54. Rhythm-and-blues singer Chilli (TLC) is 49. Rock musician Jeremy Dean (Nine Days) is 48. Rhythm-and-blues singer Roderick Clark is 47. Country-rock musician Shonna Tucker is 42. Chelsea Clinton is 40. Actor Brandon Beemer is 40. Rock musician Cyrus Bolooki (New Found Glory) is 40. Rock musician Jake Clemons (Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band) is 40. Rhythm-and-blues singer Bobby Valentino is 40. Singer Josh Groban is 39. Banjoist Noam (cq) Pikelny is 39. Rock musician Jared Champion (Cage the Elephant) is 37. Actress Kate Mara is 37. TV personality JWoww (AKA Jenni Farley) is 34. Actress Lindsey Morgan is 30.

Thought for Today: "I am indeed rich, since my income is superior to my expenses, and my expense is equal to my wishes." — Edward Gibbon, English historian (1737-1794).

Today in HistoryToday is Thursday, Feb. 27, the 58th day of 2020. There are 308 days left in the year.Today's Highlight in History:On Feb. 27, 1922, the Supreme Court, in Leser v. Garnett, unanimously upheld the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which guaranteed the right of women to vote.On this date:In 1801, the District of Columbia was placed under the jurisdiction of Congress.In 1814, Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 8 in F major, Op. 93, was first performed in Vienna.In 1933, Germany's parliament building, the Reichstag (RYKS'-tahg, was gutted by fire; Chancellor Adolf Hitler, blaming the Communists, used the fire to justify suspending civil liberties.In 1939, the Supreme Court, in National Labor Relations Board v. Fansteel Metallurgical Corp., effectively outlawed sit-down strikes.In 1943, during World War II, Norwegian commandos launched a successful raid to sabotage a German-operated heavy water plant in Norway. An explosion inside a coal mine near Bearcreek, Montana, killed 74 miners and one rescue worker. The U.S. government, responding to a copper shortage, began circulating one-cent coins made of steel plated with zinc (the steel pennies proved unpopular, since they were easily mistaken for dimes).In 1951, the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, limiting a president to two terms of office, was ratified.In 1960, the U.S. Olympic hockey team defeated the Soviets, 3-2, at the Winter Games in Squaw Valley, California. (The U.S. team went on to win the gold medal.)In 1973, members of the American Indian Movement occupied the hamlet of Wounded Knee in South Dakota, the site of the 1890 massacre of Sioux men, women and children. (The occupation lasted until the following May.)In 1982, Wayne Williams was found guilty of murdering two of the 28 young blacks whose bodies were found in the Atlanta area over a 22-month period. (Williams, who was also blamed for 22 other deaths, has maintained his innocence.)In 1991, Operation Desert Storm came to a conclusion as President George H.W. Bush declared that "Kuwait is liberated, Iraq's army is defeated," and announced that the allies would suspend combat operations at midnight, Eastern time.In 1998, with the approval of Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's House of Lords agreed to end 1,000 years of male preference by giving a monarch's first-born daughter the same claim to the throne as any first-born son.In 2002, at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, Alicia Keys won five prizes, including song of the year for "Fallin’”; Irish rockers U2 won four Grammys, including record of the year for "Walk On"; album of the year went to the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack.Ten years ago: In Chile, an 8.8 magnitude earthquake and tsunami killed 524 people, caused $30 billion in damage and left more than 200,000 homeless. Steven Holcomb drove USA-1 to the Olympic gold medal in four-man bobsledding in Vancouver, ending a 62-year drought for the Americans in the event.Five years ago: Actor Leonard Nimoy, 83, world famous to "Star Trek" fans as the pointy-eared, purely logical science officer Mr. Spock, died in Los Angeles. In Tyrone, Missouri, Joseph Jesse Aldridge, 36, a man who authorities said might have been unhinged by the death of his ailing mother, was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after apparently killing seven people in a house-to-house shooting rampage. Boris Nemtsov, a charismatic Russian opposition leader and sharp critic of President Vladimir Putin, was gunned down near the Kremlin.One year ago: President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un projected optimism as they opened high-stakes talks in Vietnam about curbing Pyongyang’s pursuit of nuclear weapons. In testimony to a House panel, Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump’s former lawyer, cast Trump as a racist and a con man who had used his inner circle to cover up politically damaging allegations about sex, and who had lied during the election campaign about his business interests in Russia. The House approved a measure requiring federal background checks for all firearms sales and transfers, as a handful of Republicans joined Democrats in the first major gun control legislation considered by Congress in nearly 25 years. (The legislation was not taken up by the Senate.)Today's Birthdays: Actress Joanne Woodward is 90. Consumer advocate Ralph Nader is 86. Actress Barbara Babcock is 83. Actor Howard Hesseman is 80. Actress Debra Monk is 71. Rock singer-musician Neal Schon (Journey) is 66. Rock musician Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden) is 63. Actor Timothy Spall is 63. Rock musician Paul Humphreys (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark) is 60. Country singer Johnny Van Zant (Van Zant) is 60. Rock musician Leon Mobley (Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals) is 59. Basketball Hall of Famer James Worthy is 59. Actor Adam Baldwin is 58. Actor Grant Show is 58. Rock musician Mike Cross (Sponge) is 55. Actor Noah Emmerich is 55. Actor Donal Logue (DOH'-nuhl LOHG) is 54. Rhythm-and-blues singer Chilli (TLC) is 49. Rock musician Jeremy Dean (Nine Days) is 48. Rhythm-and-blues singer Roderick Clark is 47. Country-rock musician Shonna Tucker is 42. Chelsea Clinton is 40. Actor Brandon Beemer is 40. Rock musician Cyrus Bolooki (New Found Glory) is 40. Rock musician Jake Clemons (Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band) is 40. Rhythm-and-blues singer Bobby Valentino is 40. Singer Josh Groban is 39. Banjoist Noam (cq) Pikelny is 39. Rock musician Jared Champion (Cage the Elephant) is 37. Actress Kate Mara is 37. TV personality JWoww (AKA Jenni Farley) is 34. Actress Lindsey Morgan is 30.Thought for Today: "I am indeed rich, since my income is superior to my expenses, and my expense is equal to my wishes." — Edward Gibbon, English historian (1737-1794).

Today in History-February 27

MINDEN, Neb. (AP) - A south-central Nebraska man has been imprisoned for killing his infant son.

Kearney County District Court records say Christopher Preston was sentenced Wednesday in Minden to 19 to 20 years and given credit for 491 days already served.

Preston had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/862cf6cf8ddd278a9fbb504a6b30de7a" target="_blank">pleaded no contest</a>&nbsp;to negligent child abuse resulting in death. Prosecutors lowered the charge in return for Preston's plea, court records say.

Investigators have said 6-week-old Zackary Preston was discovered Oct. 1 last year unresponsive in a bed at his home in Wilcox. Court records detailing the incident are sealed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582809337649.png" alt="Christopher Preston" />
 <figcaption>Christopher Preston</figcaption>
 </figure>MINDEN, Neb. (AP) - A south-central Nebraska man has been imprisoned for killing his infant son.Kearney County District Court records say Christopher Preston was sentenced Wednesday in Minden to 19 to 20 years and given credit for 491 days already served.Preston had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/862cf6cf8ddd278a9fbb504a6b30de7a" target="_blank">pleaded no contest</a>&nbsp;to negligent child abuse resulting in death. Prosecutors lowered the charge in return for Preston's plea, court records say.Investigators have said 6-week-old Zackary Preston was discovered Oct. 1 last year unresponsive in a bed at his home in Wilcox. Court records detailing the incident are sealed.

Man gets 19-20 years in prison for killing infant son

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - The condition of two of the people who tested positive for COVID-19 in Omaha after being evacuated from a cruise ship in Japan has improved significantly, officials said Wednesday.

Two of the 15 people being monitored at the University of Nebraska Medical Center were being cared for at the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit because of the severity of their symptoms. Health officials said Wednesday, those two people improved enough to be transferred to the National Quarantine Unit where the other 13 people are being treated.

Two of the 15 have tested negative for the virus and could be released from quarantine March 2. The people who tested positive for COVID-19 will have to test negative for it twice before they can be released.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - The condition of two of the people who tested positive for COVID-19 in Omaha after being evacuated from a cruise ship in Japan has improved significantly, officials said Wednesday.Two of the 15 people being monitored at the University of Nebraska Medical Center were being cared for at the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit because of the severity of their symptoms. Health officials said Wednesday, those two people improved enough to be transferred to the National Quarantine Unit where the other 13 people are being treated.Two of the 15 have tested negative for the virus and could be released from quarantine March 2. The people who tested positive for COVID-19 will have to test negative for it twice before they can be released.

Condition of 2 patients with COVID-19 in Nebraska improving

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Firefighters, police officers, county sheriffs and other first responders could get more access to services to help them deal with traumatic experiences under a bill Nebraska lawmakers advanced Wednesday.

The bill won first-round approval in the Legislature on a 42-0 vote.

The proposal would require the state to offer reimbursement for counseling for first responders with post-traumatic stress disorder. It was introduced by state Sen. Tom Brewer, of Gordon, a combat veteran who was shot six times during a firefight with the Taliban in 2003.

Brewer said the bill is an important step to prevent suicides.

The bill could cost the state between $442,000 and $1.7 million a year, according to estimates from the Legislature's Fiscal Office.

Two additional votes are required before the bill goes to the governor.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Firefighters, police officers, county sheriffs and other first responders could get more access to services to help them deal with traumatic experiences under a bill Nebraska lawmakers advanced Wednesday.The bill won first-round approval in the Legislature on a 42-0 vote.The proposal would require the state to offer reimbursement for counseling for first responders with post-traumatic stress disorder. It was introduced by state Sen. Tom Brewer, of Gordon, a combat veteran who was shot six times during a firefight with the Taliban in 2003.Brewer said the bill is an important step to prevent suicides.The bill could cost the state between $442,000 and $1.7 million a year, according to estimates from the Legislature's Fiscal Office.Two additional votes are required before the bill goes to the governor.

Nebraska advances bill to help first responders with PTSD

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - State officials issued a warning Wednesday for people in Nebraska who have recently traveled to one of 10 countries that have experienced an outbreak of COVID-19 and asked them to self-report to state or local public health officials.

Officials with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services said they were tracking the virus that originated in China. They're also seeking people who have traveled within the last 14 days to Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Iran, Italy, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand or Vietnam.

Officials said they haven't identified any cases in Nebraska residents, although the state is providing quarantine locations for people who were exposed elsewhere in the world.

"Ensuring the health of Nebraskans is our main priority and public health officials continue to actively monitor self-isolated Nebraska residents who recently returned from China," said Dr. Tom Safranek, the state epidemiologist.

State officials&nbsp;<a href="http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx" target="_blank">have launched a website&nbsp;</a>at for people to self-report, or they say people can contact their local health departments for guidance. They also note that people who become ill after returning from overseas travel are more likely to have other respiratory illnesses, such as the flu.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - State officials issued a warning Wednesday for people in Nebraska who have recently traveled to one of 10 countries that have experienced an outbreak of COVID-19 and asked them to self-report to state or local public health officials.Officials with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services said they were tracking the virus that originated in China. They're also seeking people who have traveled within the last 14 days to Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Iran, Italy, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand or Vietnam.Officials said they haven't identified any cases in Nebraska residents, although the state is providing quarantine locations for people who were exposed elsewhere in the world."Ensuring the health of Nebraskans is our main priority and public health officials continue to actively monitor self-isolated Nebraska residents who recently returned from China," said Dr. Tom Safranek, the state epidemiologist.State officials&nbsp;<a href="http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx" target="_blank">have launched a website&nbsp;</a>at for people to self-report, or they say people can contact their local health departments for guidance. They also note that people who become ill after returning from overseas travel are more likely to have other respiratory illnesses, such as the flu.

Nebraska state officials issue warning about COVID-19

Scotty C sits down with Brandon Kelliher who is one of five candidates for Mayor of the City of North Platte. Check out Brandon's website&nbsp;<a href="https://gate.sc/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bkmayor.com&amp;token=870913-1-1582745059562" target="_blank">www.bkmayor.com</a>&nbsp;or find him on Facebook&nbsp;<a href="https://gate.sc/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fbkmayor&amp;token=fdade7-1-1582745059562" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/bkmayor</a>

Scotty C sits down with Brandon Kelliher who is one of five candidates for Mayor of the City of North Platte. Check out Brandon's website&nbsp;<a href="https://gate.sc/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bkmayor.com&amp;token=870913-1-1582745059562" target="_blank">www.bkmayor.com</a>&nbsp;or find him on Facebook&nbsp;<a href="https://gate.sc/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fbkmayor&amp;token=fdade7-1-1582745059562" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/bkmayor</a><div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/766992298&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe></div>

Post Podcast: North Platte Mayoral Candidate Brandon Kelliher

Dr. Andre Kalil, the infectious diseases specialist and professor of internal medicine at UNMC/Nebraska Medicine who is leading the first clinical trial for the first drug to treat COVID-19, speaks with media about the trial and how it works.

<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FNebraskaMed%2Fvideos%2F191454145464300%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Dr. Andre Kalil, the infectious diseases specialist and professor of internal medicine at UNMC/Nebraska Medicine who is leading the first clinical trial for the first drug to treat COVID-19, speaks with media about the trial and how it works.

UNMC/Nebraska Medicine official discusses clinical trial for COVID-19 drug

OMAHA, Neb.-United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Ronald Garnett, 49, of North Platte, Nebraska, was sentenced on February 24, 2020, to 84 months in prison by Senior United States District Judge Laurie Smith Camp for distribution of 5 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. There is no parole in the federal system. Upon his release from prison, Garnett will serve&nbsp;four years of supervised release.

On October 25, 2017, Garnett sold an ounce of methamphetamine to a cooperating individual working for law enforcement in North Platte for $1,200.&nbsp; The lab result was 25 grams of actual methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by the North Platte Police Department.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/7/1564484173192.png" alt="Ronald Garnett" />
 <figcaption>Ronald Garnett</figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb.-United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Ronald Garnett, 49, of North Platte, Nebraska, was sentenced on February 24, 2020, to 84 months in prison by Senior United States District Judge Laurie Smith Camp for distribution of 5 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. There is no parole in the federal system. Upon his release from prison, Garnett will serve&nbsp;four years of supervised release.On October 25, 2017, Garnett sold an ounce of methamphetamine to a cooperating individual working for law enforcement in North Platte for $1,200.&nbsp; The lab result was 25 grams of actual methamphetamine.This case was investigated by the North Platte Police Department.

North Platte man sentenced for distributing meth

Nebraskans have been growing crops and raising livestock for centuries on multigenerational family farms and ranches across the state.&nbsp; While agriculture has always been central to our way of life, agricultural practices are constantly changing. &nbsp;Our ag producers are the most innovative in the world.&nbsp; We invent and adopt new technologies, find better ways to plant fields and feed livestock, and adjust our operations to meet shifting consumer demands.&nbsp; To continue to bolster our international growth and innovation in agriculture, it’s imperative that we connect the energy, creativity, and education of the next generation to great opportunities in the industry.

This week, it’s National FFA Week, which allows us to highlight one of the best pathways to careers in agriculture and related fields.&nbsp; At schools throughout Nebraska, FFA is preparing the next generation for leadership in our state’s number-one industry. &nbsp;FFA students learn by doing and grow by serving.&nbsp; Through hands-on involvement in agriculture and related fields, they’re gaining valuable skills and insights that will benefit them throughout their careers. &nbsp;Recently, I hosted state officers and members from the Nebraska FFA Association at a State Capitol ceremony to celebrate FFA Week. &nbsp;I was impressed by their maturity, optimism, and the well-spoken way they talked about their college and career aspirations.&nbsp; I wish all Nebraskans could have met these fine young men and women and seen their excitement to grow our state.

FFA has a rich history in our state. &nbsp;The Nebraska FFA Association started in 1928.&nbsp; It was the sixth state FFA group chartered by the national FFA organization.&nbsp; Nebraska FFA membership continues to rise, with nearly 10,000 members at around 190 chapters this year.&nbsp; Nebraska has one of the fastest growing FFA state associations in the nation in terms of the number of new chapters being added. &nbsp;Nebraska FFA added nine chapters in the last two years, and it plans to add at least six more this year.

Over the years, FFA has expanded to recruit members who did not grow up in agriculture.&nbsp; This is really critical to bridging the urban-rural divide in our country.&nbsp; Take for example Luke Krabel, a member of the FFA chapter at Adams Central High School and a state vice president for FFA. &nbsp;He&nbsp;gave remarks at the ceremony on behalf of FFA where he shared his story.&nbsp; Luke did not grow up in a farm family. &nbsp;His dad works in construction, and his mom teaches.&nbsp; Even so, Luke developed a passion for agriculture through his involvement in FFA and his summer work as a detasseler.&nbsp; He plans to study civil engineering so that he can assist ag producers with soil and water management.&nbsp; Luke is just one example of the hundreds of young Nebraskans who has gained an appreciation of agriculture, even though their immediate family upbringing was not on a farm or ranch. &nbsp;FFA has been a key program to bring students like Luke into closer contact with agriculture.

Luke’s plans to be a civil engineer are a good reminder that agriculture offers a diversity of career options.&nbsp; While we often associate agriculture with the corn growers and cattlemen who directly produce commodities, the industry has a host of different job opportunities. &nbsp;Careers in agriculture span a wide range of fields—robotics, finance, science, manufacturing, economics, and more!&nbsp; Consider just a small sampling of the hundreds of professions in agriculture: horticulture instructors, irrigation engineers, crop market analysts, ag aviators, groundwater geologists, soil scientists, plant ecologists, entomologists (insect scientists, microbiologists, livestock veterinarians, butchers, meat inspectors, harness makers, machinists, welders, diesel mechanics, and grain elevator operators.&nbsp; In fact, agriculture creates far more highly skilled jobs than there are qualified workers to fill them.&nbsp; The USDA estimates that nearly 60,000 high-skill jobs come open each year in agriculture, yet only 35,000 graduates are available to perform them.&nbsp; For students with an interest in agriculture, there are plentiful opportunities to find rewarding, well-paying work.

FFA is not only helping to grow agriculture, but they are developing engaged citizens.&nbsp; During the floods last year, FFA members stepped up to help their communities.&nbsp; FFA chapters from Verdigre, Osmond, and Crofton volunteered to clean up the community of Verdigre.&nbsp; They cleared debris from the football field, power-washed bathrooms, and cleaned mud off of equipment and bleachers. &nbsp;In Columbus, members and alumni of the Lakeview FFA chapter gathered supplies for farmers in need and provided meals to volunteers who had come to the community to aid the flood relief efforts. &nbsp;The FFA motto is “Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve.”&nbsp; In the aftermath of the floods, Nebraska’s FFA members proved that they take the last part of this motto to heart.&nbsp;

I invite Nebraskans to support their local FFA chapters, and to be advocates for our future leaders in agriculture and related fields.&nbsp; If you are already involved, I encourage you to attend the FFA annual convention which will be April 1-3, 2020 in Lincoln. &nbsp;If you would like to know how to join FFA or start a chapter at your school, please email me at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:pete.ricketts@nebraska.gov">pete.ricketts@nebraska.gov</a>&nbsp;or call 402-471-2244.&nbsp; Together, we can connect the next generation to great opportunities in our state, and grow Nebraska!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579024294426.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By Governor Pete RickettsNebraskans have been growing crops and raising livestock for centuries on multigenerational family farms and ranches across the state.&nbsp; While agriculture has always been central to our way of life, agricultural practices are constantly changing. &nbsp;Our ag producers are the most innovative in the world.&nbsp; We invent and adopt new technologies, find better ways to plant fields and feed livestock, and adjust our operations to meet shifting consumer demands.&nbsp; To continue to bolster our international growth and innovation in agriculture, it’s imperative that we connect the energy, creativity, and education of the next generation to great opportunities in the industry.This week, it’s National FFA Week, which allows us to highlight one of the best pathways to careers in agriculture and related fields.&nbsp; At schools throughout Nebraska, FFA is preparing the next generation for leadership in our state’s number-one industry. &nbsp;FFA students learn by doing and grow by serving.&nbsp; Through hands-on involvement in agriculture and related fields, they’re gaining valuable skills and insights that will benefit them throughout their careers. &nbsp;Recently, I hosted state officers and members from the Nebraska FFA Association at a State Capitol ceremony to celebrate FFA Week. &nbsp;I was impressed by their maturity, optimism, and the well-spoken way they talked about their college and career aspirations.&nbsp; I wish all Nebraskans could have met these fine young men and women and seen their excitement to grow our state.FFA has a rich history in our state. &nbsp;The Nebraska FFA Association started in 1928.&nbsp; It was the sixth state FFA group chartered by the national FFA organization.&nbsp; Nebraska FFA membership continues to rise, with nearly 10,000 members at around 190 chapters this year.&nbsp; Nebraska has one of the fastest growing FFA state associations in the nation in terms of the number of new chapters being added. &nbsp;Nebraska FFA added nine chapters in the last two years, and it plans to add at least six more this year.Over the years, FFA has expanded to recruit members who did not grow up in agriculture.&nbsp; This is really critical to bridging the urban-rural divide in our country.&nbsp; Take for example Luke Krabel, a member of the FFA chapter at Adams Central High School and a state vice president for FFA. &nbsp;He&nbsp;gave remarks at the ceremony on behalf of FFA where he shared his story.&nbsp; Luke did not grow up in a farm family. &nbsp;His dad works in construction, and his mom teaches.&nbsp; Even so, Luke developed a passion for agriculture through his involvement in FFA and his summer work as a detasseler.&nbsp; He plans to study civil engineering so that he can assist ag producers with soil and water management.&nbsp; Luke is just one example of the hundreds of young Nebraskans who has gained an appreciation of agriculture, even though their immediate family upbringing was not on a farm or ranch. &nbsp;FFA has been a key program to bring students like Luke into closer contact with agriculture.Luke’s plans to be a civil engineer are a good reminder that agriculture offers a diversity of career options.&nbsp; While we often associate agriculture with the corn growers and cattlemen who directly produce commodities, the industry has a host of different job opportunities. &nbsp;Careers in agriculture span a wide range of fields—robotics, finance, science, manufacturing, economics, and more!&nbsp; Consider just a small sampling of the hundreds of professions in agriculture: horticulture instructors, irrigation engineers, crop market analysts, ag aviators, groundwater geologists, soil scientists, plant ecologists, entomologists (insect scientists, microbiologists, livestock veterinarians, butchers, meat inspectors, harness makers, machinists, welders, diesel mechanics, and grain elevator operators.&nbsp; In fact, agriculture creates far more highly skilled jobs than there are qualified workers to fill them.&nbsp; The USDA estimates that nearly 60,000 high-skill jobs come open each year in agriculture, yet only 35,000 graduates are available to perform them.&nbsp; For students with an interest in agriculture, there are plentiful opportunities to find rewarding, well-paying work.FFA is not only helping to grow agriculture, but they are developing engaged citizens.&nbsp; During the floods last year, FFA members stepped up to help their communities.&nbsp; FFA chapters from Verdigre, Osmond, and Crofton volunteered to clean up the community of Verdigre.&nbsp; They cleared debris from the football field, power-washed bathrooms, and cleaned mud off of equipment and bleachers. &nbsp;In Columbus, members and alumni of the Lakeview FFA chapter gathered supplies for farmers in need and provided meals to volunteers who had come to the community to aid the flood relief efforts. &nbsp;The FFA motto is “Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve.”&nbsp; In the aftermath of the floods, Nebraska’s FFA members proved that they take the last part of this motto to heart.&nbsp;I invite Nebraskans to support their local FFA chapters, and to be advocates for our future leaders in agriculture and related fields.&nbsp; If you are already involved, I encourage you to attend the FFA annual convention which will be April 1-3, 2020 in Lincoln. &nbsp;If you would like to know how to join FFA or start a chapter at your school, please email me at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:pete.ricketts@nebraska.gov">pete.ricketts@nebraska.gov</a>&nbsp;or call 402-471-2244.&nbsp; Together, we can connect the next generation to great opportunities in our state, and grow Nebraska!

Governor's Weekly Column: Leading agriculture into the future

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - The first clinical trial in the U.S. of a possible coronavirus treatment is underway in Nebraska and is eventually expected to include 400 patients at 50 locations around the world, officials said Tuesday.

Half of the patients in the international study will receive the antiviral medicine remdesivir while the other half will receive a placebo. Several other studies, including one looking at the same drug, are already underway internationally.

Dr. Andre Kalil, who will oversee the study at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, said the clinical trial was developed quickly in response to the virus outbreak that originated in China. Patients who are hospitalized with the COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, will be eligible to join the trial if they have at least moderate symptoms.

"The goal here is to help the people that need it the most," Kalil said.

Fourteen people who were evacuated from a cruise ship in Japan are being treated at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Twelve of them have tested positive for COVID-19.

There are no proven treatments or vaccines for the new and mysterious virus, which has infected more than 80,000 people worldwide and killed more than 2,700, with the overwhelming majority of cases in China.

Doctors give patients fluids and pain relievers to try to ease the symptoms, which can include fever, cough and shortness of breath. In the case of those who are severely ill, doctors use ventilators to help them breathe or a machine that pumps and oxygenates their blood outside the body, easing the burden on the heart and lungs.

At least two patient studies are already underway in China, including the other study involving remdesivir, which is made by Gilead Sciences, and another that tests a combination HIV drug containing lopinavir and ritonavir.

In a draft research plan published last month, the World Health Organization said remdesivir was considered "the most promising candidate." It was used briefly in some Ebola patients in Congo before that study stopped. But the WHO cited laboratory studies that suggested it might be able to target SARS and MERS, which are cousins of the new virus.

Gilead has provided the drug for use in a small number of patients, including a man in Washington state who fell ill after a trip to Wuhan, the Chinese city at the center of the outbreak. He is no longer hospitalized, but it is not clear whether the remdesivir helped him.

By JOSH FUNK-Associated PressOMAHA, Neb. (AP) - The first clinical trial in the U.S. of a possible coronavirus treatment is underway in Nebraska and is eventually expected to include 400 patients at 50 locations around the world, officials said Tuesday.Half of the patients in the international study will receive the antiviral medicine remdesivir while the other half will receive a placebo. Several other studies, including one looking at the same drug, are already underway internationally.Dr. Andre Kalil, who will oversee the study at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, said the clinical trial was developed quickly in response to the virus outbreak that originated in China. Patients who are hospitalized with the COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, will be eligible to join the trial if they have at least moderate symptoms."The goal here is to help the people that need it the most," Kalil said.Fourteen people who were evacuated from a cruise ship in Japan are being treated at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Twelve of them have tested positive for COVID-19.There are no proven treatments or vaccines for the new and mysterious virus, which has infected more than 80,000 people worldwide and killed more than 2,700, with the overwhelming majority of cases in China.Doctors give patients fluids and pain relievers to try to ease the symptoms, which can include fever, cough and shortness of breath. In the case of those who are severely ill, doctors use ventilators to help them breathe or a machine that pumps and oxygenates their blood outside the body, easing the burden on the heart and lungs.At least two patient studies are already underway in China, including the other study involving remdesivir, which is made by Gilead Sciences, and another that tests a combination HIV drug containing lopinavir and ritonavir.In a draft research plan published last month, the World Health Organization said remdesivir was considered "the most promising candidate." It was used briefly in some Ebola patients in Congo before that study stopped. But the WHO cited laboratory studies that suggested it might be able to target SARS and MERS, which are cousins of the new virus.Gilead has provided the drug for use in a small number of patients, including a man in Washington state who fell ill after a trip to Wuhan, the Chinese city at the center of the outbreak. He is no longer hospitalized, but it is not clear whether the remdesivir helped him.

Study begins in US to test possible coronavirus treatment

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska authorities refused to say Tuesday whether they're involved in a new, multi-state investigation into the marketing and sales practices of e-cigarette maker Juul.

The 39-state coalition is led by attorneys general from Connecticut, Florida, Nevada, Oregon and Texas. The states announced that they plan to look into whether the company targeted youths and made misleading claims about the nicotine content in its devices.

A spokeswoman for Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson said her office wouldn't confirm or deny whether Nebraska authorities are investigating.

A spokeswoman for Connecticut Attorney General William Tong also declined to release a full list of the participating states, saying some have policies that don't allow them to confirm the existence of an investigation.

San Francisco-based Juul is also facing lawsuits by teenagers and others who say they became addicted to the company's vaping products.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska authorities refused to say Tuesday whether they're involved in a new, multi-state investigation into the marketing and sales practices of e-cigarette maker Juul.The 39-state coalition is led by attorneys general from Connecticut, Florida, Nevada, Oregon and Texas. The states announced that they plan to look into whether the company targeted youths and made misleading claims about the nicotine content in its devices.A spokeswoman for Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson said her office wouldn't confirm or deny whether Nebraska authorities are investigating.A spokeswoman for Connecticut Attorney General William Tong also declined to release a full list of the participating states, saying some have policies that don't allow them to confirm the existence of an investigation.San Francisco-based Juul is also facing lawsuits by teenagers and others who say they became addicted to the company's vaping products.

Nebraska won't confirm involvement in multi-state Juul probe

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska appears poised to allow college athletes to sign endorsement deals with sneaker companies, car dealerships and other sponsors after a measure cleared a major hurdle Tuesday in the state Legislature.

The measure seems likely to pass after advancing through the first of three required votes, 36-4, with bipartisan support in the officially nonpartisan Legislature.

California last year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a1aacd618278414e8a6b999466640e67" target="_blank">became the first state</a>&nbsp;to let college athletes use their status to make money, following criticism that universities and athletic sponsors are getting rich off the backs of athletes and not sharing the wealth. Other states are considering similar measures, even though the NCAA has taken steps to address it on a national level.

The bill "is about the right of every student to work, to participate in the free market and to have the same freedoms as their non-athlete peers on college and university campuses," said Sen. Megan Hunt, of Omaha, the bill's lead sponsor.

The NCAA has previously criticized such measures, arguing that they would destroy the distinction between amateurs and pros. In Nebraska, some lawmakers worried that such policies would eventually give a huge recruiting advantage to states such as Texas or California with large media markets and a lot of big-money sponsors.

"If you're in a very small media market, they may pay you a few thousand dollars," said Sen. Steve Lathrop, of Omaha. "In the meantime, some mega-car dealer down in Dallas is going to be paying those athletes a lot more."

But Lathrop said he still supports the measure because it would keep Nebraska competitive with other states until a national policy emerges.

The measure would apply to student-athletes at the University of Nebraska and its smaller state colleges. It would cover athletes in all sports, although Nebraska's football, basketball and volleyball players are likely to have the most money-making opportunities. Student athletes wouldn't get salaries but couldn't be punished for signing with an outside sponsor.

Supporters cast the bill as a matter of fairness.

"When you have coaches and administrators who are making millions of dollars off their performance, I think this is the least we can do," said Sen. Adam Morfeld, of Lincoln, whose district includes the University of Nebraska's flagship campus.

Sen. Anna Wishart, of Lincoln, called the proposal "an absolute no-brainer" and noted that the current restrictions put an even greater burden on non-scholarship athletes.

Sen. Ernie Chambers, of Omaha, who has fought for decades to allow student athletes to be paid, said the current policy is unfair to poor black students who make up a large segment of collegiate football and basketball.

Senators who opposed the measure argued that many athletes receive full tuition scholarships, a stipend, free food, merchandise and tutoring. They also said it would change the way the university recruits students.

"It'll have nothing to do with our facilities or our fan base," said Sen. Mike Groene, of North Platte. "It'll be about the money."

GRANT SCHULTE-Associated Press

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska appears poised to allow college athletes to sign endorsement deals with sneaker companies, car dealerships and other sponsors after a measure cleared a major hurdle Tuesday in the state Legislature.The measure seems likely to pass after advancing through the first of three required votes, 36-4, with bipartisan support in the officially nonpartisan Legislature.California last year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a1aacd618278414e8a6b999466640e67" target="_blank">became the first state</a>&nbsp;to let college athletes use their status to make money, following criticism that universities and athletic sponsors are getting rich off the backs of athletes and not sharing the wealth. Other states are considering similar measures, even though the NCAA has taken steps to address it on a national level.The bill "is about the right of every student to work, to participate in the free market and to have the same freedoms as their non-athlete peers on college and university campuses," said Sen. Megan Hunt, of Omaha, the bill's lead sponsor.The NCAA has previously criticized such measures, arguing that they would destroy the distinction between amateurs and pros. In Nebraska, some lawmakers worried that such policies would eventually give a huge recruiting advantage to states such as Texas or California with large media markets and a lot of big-money sponsors."If you're in a very small media market, they may pay you a few thousand dollars," said Sen. Steve Lathrop, of Omaha. "In the meantime, some mega-car dealer down in Dallas is going to be paying those athletes a lot more."But Lathrop said he still supports the measure because it would keep Nebraska competitive with other states until a national policy emerges.The measure would apply to student-athletes at the University of Nebraska and its smaller state colleges. It would cover athletes in all sports, although Nebraska's football, basketball and volleyball players are likely to have the most money-making opportunities. Student athletes wouldn't get salaries but couldn't be punished for signing with an outside sponsor.Supporters cast the bill as a matter of fairness."When you have coaches and administrators who are making millions of dollars off their performance, I think this is the least we can do," said Sen. Adam Morfeld, of Lincoln, whose district includes the University of Nebraska's flagship campus.Sen. Anna Wishart, of Lincoln, called the proposal "an absolute no-brainer" and noted that the current restrictions put an even greater burden on non-scholarship athletes.Sen. Ernie Chambers, of Omaha, who has fought for decades to allow student athletes to be paid, said the current policy is unfair to poor black students who make up a large segment of collegiate football and basketball.Senators who opposed the measure argued that many athletes receive full tuition scholarships, a stipend, free food, merchandise and tutoring. They also said it would change the way the university recruits students."It'll have nothing to do with our facilities or our fan base," said Sen. Mike Groene, of North Platte. "It'll be about the money."

Nebraska may allow endorsement deals for college athletes

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska has set its May presidential primary ballots to include eight Democratic candidates, two Republicans and six Libertarians, Secretary of State Bob Evnen announced Tuesday.

The Democratic candidates are Joe Biden, Mike Bloomberg, Pete Buttigieg, Tulsi Gabbard, Amy Klobuchar, Bernie Sanders, Tom Steyer and Elizabeth Warren.

The Republican candidates to be listed are Donald Trump and Bill Weld.

The Libertarian candidates are Max Abramson, Daniel Behrman, Lincoln Chafee, Jacob Hornberger, Jo Jorgensen and Adam Kokesh.

Evnen said the hopefuls who made the ballots are recognized nationally as active presidential candidates. He said his office also conferred with the Nebraska Republican, Democratic and Libertarian parties.

Candidates have until March 10 to file an affidavit with the secretary of state to remove their name from the ballot if they wish to do so. Candidates who aren't listed but want to be included can file by petition.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska has set its May presidential primary ballots to include eight Democratic candidates, two Republicans and six Libertarians, Secretary of State Bob Evnen announced Tuesday.The Democratic candidates are Joe Biden, Mike Bloomberg, Pete Buttigieg, Tulsi Gabbard, Amy Klobuchar, Bernie Sanders, Tom Steyer and Elizabeth Warren.The Republican candidates to be listed are Donald Trump and Bill Weld.The Libertarian candidates are Max Abramson, Daniel Behrman, Lincoln Chafee, Jacob Hornberger, Jo Jorgensen and Adam Kokesh.Evnen said the hopefuls who made the ballots are recognized nationally as active presidential candidates. He said his office also conferred with the Nebraska Republican, Democratic and Libertarian parties.Candidates have until March 10 to file an affidavit with the secretary of state to remove their name from the ballot if they wish to do so. Candidates who aren't listed but want to be included can file by petition.

Nebraska sets candidates for May 12 primary ballot

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - For the second time this week, a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 after being evacuated from a cruise ship in Japan will be transferred to an Omaha hospital, officials said.

The person had been monitored at Travis Air Force Base in California but was being flown to Omaha on Tuesday night, the University of Nebraska Medical Center said in a news release. The person is the spouse of one of 13 people already being monitored and treated at the Omaha hospital, hospital officials said.

The addition will bring to 15 the number of people being monitored at the Omaha hospital. Thirteen people are being monitored at the National Quarantine Unit, while two are receiving care at the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit. Two people continue to test negative for the virus and could leave quarantine March 2.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - For the second time this week, a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 after being evacuated from a cruise ship in Japan will be transferred to an Omaha hospital, officials said.The person had been monitored at Travis Air Force Base in California but was being flown to Omaha on Tuesday night, the University of Nebraska Medical Center said in a news release. The person is the spouse of one of 13 people already being monitored and treated at the Omaha hospital, hospital officials said.The addition will bring to 15 the number of people being monitored at the Omaha hospital. Thirteen people are being monitored at the National Quarantine Unit, while two are receiving care at the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit. Two people continue to test negative for the virus and could leave quarantine March 2.

Another COVID-19-infected person being transported to Omaha

NORTH PLATTE, Neb.-The Mid-Plains Education Association is offering two $1,000 scholarships to students at North Platte Community College. Applications must be turned in by April 3.

The MPEA consists of non-technical faculty members at NPCC. They award the scholarships every year, using money from donations and funds collected during 50/50 raffles at home athletic events.

The scholarships are available to any student enrolled in at least nine credit hours for the 2020 fall term at NPCC. Applicants must have already completed at least 12 credit hours, which can include dual credit classes, through Mid-Plains Community College and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher to be considered.

MPEA members will choose the winners. Among other things, selections will be based on academic excellence and any additional accomplishments at school, work or in the community.

The money can be applied to tuition, books, school supplies, living expenses or anything else to help a student be successful in college.

Applications are available at the NPCC Financial Aid Office, in the Welcome Center on South Campus and from any MPEA member.

Completed forms must be returned to Jimi Cole in Room 124A of the McDonald-Belton Building on NPCC’s south campus, 601 W. State Farm Rd.

Scholarship recipients will be announced April 20 at the NPCC Honors Convocation.

NORTH PLATTE, Neb.-The Mid-Plains Education Association is offering two $1,000 scholarships to students at North Platte Community College. Applications must be turned in by April 3.The MPEA consists of non-technical faculty members at NPCC. They award the scholarships every year, using money from donations and funds collected during 50/50 raffles at home athletic events.The scholarships are available to any student enrolled in at least nine credit hours for the 2020 fall term at NPCC. Applicants must have already completed at least 12 credit hours, which can include dual credit classes, through Mid-Plains Community College and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher to be considered.MPEA members will choose the winners. Among other things, selections will be based on academic excellence and any additional accomplishments at school, work or in the community.The money can be applied to tuition, books, school supplies, living expenses or anything else to help a student be successful in college.Applications are available at the NPCC Financial Aid Office, in the Welcome Center on South Campus and from any MPEA member.Completed forms must be returned to Jimi Cole in Room 124A of the McDonald-Belton Building on NPCC’s south campus, 601 W. State Farm Rd.Scholarship recipients will be announced April 20 at the NPCC Honors Convocation.

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