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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581026473815.png" alt="Police Activity 2 5 20 to 2 6 20.png" />
 <figcaption>Police Activity 2 5 20 to 2 6 20.png</figcaption>
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NP Police Activity (Feb. 5-Feb. 6, 2020)

NORTH PLATTE, Neb.-Matilda the Musical is the third production in the historic 65th season of the North Platte Community Playhouse. 

Tickets go on sale on Monday, February 10th from 12:00-5:00. The performances will be February 14-16 and 21-23. Friday and Saturday curtain times are at 8:00 PM, while the Sunday matinees are at 2:00 PM. 

Tickets are $18 for adults and $10 for kids in advance and $20 for adults and $12 for kids if purchased at the door. Come enjoy this incredible show in the beautiful and historic FOX Theater. Call for more information 308-532-8559 or email us at <a href="mailto:northplattecommunityplayhouse@gmail.com" target="_blank">northplattecommunityplayhouse@gmail.com</a>.

This musical speaks about&nbsp;the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life. With book by Dennis Kelly and original songs by Tim Minchin, you will not want to miss this show!&nbsp;Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence, and psychokinetic powers. She's unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher, the highly lovable Miss Honey. Over the course of her first term at school, Matilda and Miss Honey have a profound effect on each other's lives, as Miss Honey begins not only to recognize but also appreciate Matilda's extraordinary personality. 

Matilda's school life isn't completely smooth sailing, however – the school's mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves thinking up new punishments for those who don't abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and could be the school pupils' saving grace!



Packed with high-energy dance numbers, catchy songs and an unforgettable star turn for a young actress, Matilda is a joyous girl power romp. Children and adults alike will be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination.

Matilda's Storytime Pizza Hour Press Release:

In conjunction with the live stage production of Matilda the Musical, there will also be an afternoon event for kids of all ages. Matilda's Storytime Pizza Hour will be an afternoon of fun and food. On Saturday, February 15th from 11:30-1:30 PM characters from some favorite storybooks will be reading for kids and then the kids will be available for pictures and autographs immediately following each story. You will see characters from the Scarecrow to Belle, and Tacky the Penguin to an award-winning local author, Rajean Shepherd. You might even see Matilda and other cast members make an appearance! Pizza and drinks are provided in the ticket cost of $10 for the first child and $5 for each additional child. One free adult ticket is included for a family.

Matilda the Musical is directed by Scott Carlson with Musical Director Sue McKain.

Henchmen-Allison Guthrie, Makenna Modlin, Emmy Cassell

Kids Ensemble: Lybeigh Mills, Whitleigh Mills, Lydia Jenny, Alexa Jenny, Rie’ellah Ochoa, Avery Luenenborg, Camie Bertschinger, Greyson Kautz, Brett Pfeifer, Braxtton Songster

Big Kids-Evelyn Lewis, Emmy Cassell, Tuesday Allen, Ella Harmon, Allison Guthrie, Bella Mitchell, Talea Ochoa, Makenna Modlin, Nic Zurn, Marisa Pfeifer

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581026076273.jpeg" alt="Children from the cast of Matilda the Musical rehearse the musical number "Revolting Children" at the&nbsp; North Platte Community Playhouse. Performances are February 14-16 and 21-23." />
 <figcaption>Children from the cast of Matilda the Musical rehearse the musical number "Revolting Children" at the&nbsp; North Platte Community Playhouse. Performances are February 14-16 and 21-23.</figcaption>
 </figure>NORTH PLATTE, Neb.-Matilda the Musical is the third production in the historic 65th season of the North Platte Community Playhouse. Tickets go on sale on Monday, February 10th from 12:00-5:00. The performances will be February 14-16 and 21-23. Friday and Saturday curtain times are at 8:00 PM, while the Sunday matinees are at 2:00 PM. Tickets are $18 for adults and $10 for kids in advance and $20 for adults and $12 for kids if purchased at the door. Come enjoy this incredible show in the beautiful and historic FOX Theater. Call for more information 308-532-8559 or email us at <a href="mailto:northplattecommunityplayhouse@gmail.com" target="_blank">northplattecommunityplayhouse@gmail.com</a>.This musical speaks about&nbsp;the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life. With book by Dennis Kelly and original songs by Tim Minchin, you will not want to miss this show!&nbsp;Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence, and psychokinetic powers. She's unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher, the highly lovable Miss Honey. Over the course of her first term at school, Matilda and Miss Honey have a profound effect on each other's lives, as Miss Honey begins not only to recognize but also appreciate Matilda's extraordinary personality. Matilda's school life isn't completely smooth sailing, however – the school's mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves thinking up new punishments for those who don't abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and could be the school pupils' saving grace!

Packed with high-energy dance numbers, catchy songs and an unforgettable star turn for a young actress, Matilda is a joyous girl power romp. Children and adults alike will be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination.Matilda's Storytime Pizza Hour Press Release:In conjunction with the live stage production of Matilda the Musical, there will also be an afternoon event for kids of all ages. Matilda's Storytime Pizza Hour will be an afternoon of fun and food. On Saturday, February 15th from 11:30-1:30 PM characters from some favorite storybooks will be reading for kids and then the kids will be available for pictures and autographs immediately following each story. You will see characters from the Scarecrow to Belle, and Tacky the Penguin to an award-winning local author, Rajean Shepherd. You might even see Matilda and other cast members make an appearance! Pizza and drinks are provided in the ticket cost of $10 for the first child and $5 for each additional child. One free adult ticket is included for a family.Matilda the Musical is directed by Scott Carlson with Musical Director Sue McKain.The Cast:Matilda Wormwood-Bella HarwagerMiss Agatha Trunchbull-Ben HillMiss Honey-Tia San MiguelMr. Wormwood-Andrew LeeMrs. Wormwood-Chasity JennyMrs. Phelps-Jess BertschingerMichael Wormwood-Brandon OdleBruce-Henry ClineLavender-Chloe OchoaThe Escapologist-Ben PearceCook-Taedyn SteeleThe Acrobat-Sydney SteeleThe Doctor-Scott CarlsonRudolpho-Ben PearceSergei-Ben PearceHenchmen-Allison Guthrie, Makenna Modlin, Emmy CassellJudge-Taedyn SteeleAmanda-Layla ThomasNigel-Levi LuenenborgEric-Cooper LangeAlice-Savannah WoodburnHortensia-Ruby SchowTommy-Declan BurrowsChildren’s Entertainer-Angie BurrowsKids Ensemble: Lybeigh Mills, Whitleigh Mills, Lydia Jenny, Alexa Jenny, Rie’ellah Ochoa, Avery Luenenborg, Camie Bertschinger, Greyson Kautz, Brett Pfeifer, Braxtton SongsterBig Kids-Evelyn Lewis, Emmy Cassell, Tuesday Allen, Ella Harmon, Allison Guthrie, Bella Mitchell, Talea Ochoa, Makenna Modlin, Nic Zurn, Marisa Pfeifer

'Matilda the Musical' brings a little bit of naughty to the NP Community Playhouse

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - The Nebraska Capitol's public wireless internet has been turned off temporarily after a "critical security breach," a key state lawmaker said Thursday.

Sen. Mike Hilgers, chairman of the Legislature's Executive Board, said the Wi-Fi was shut down to protect the state's network and the private information held by state lawmakers and other state officials.

Hilgers said state officials don't know who caused the breach and were still investigating. He said the internet service will return as soon as it's safe. It's unclear what information, if any, was compromised.

Hilgers' comments came after several lawmakers complained that they had lost access to the public internet they use to conduct personal business while on the legislative floor. Senators previously had access to their own wireless internet, but that service was taken away last year.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - The Nebraska Capitol's public wireless internet has been turned off temporarily after a "critical security breach," a key state lawmaker said Thursday.Sen. Mike Hilgers, chairman of the Legislature's Executive Board, said the Wi-Fi was shut down to protect the state's network and the private information held by state lawmakers and other state officials.Hilgers said state officials don't know who caused the breach and were still investigating. He said the internet service will return as soon as it's safe. It's unclear what information, if any, was compromised.Hilgers' comments came after several lawmakers complained that they had lost access to the public internet they use to conduct personal business while on the legislative floor. Senators previously had access to their own wireless internet, but that service was taken away last year.

Security breach shuts down public Wi-Fi at Nebraska Capitol

LINCOLN, Neb. – Start planning a 2020 spring turkey hunt today by downloading trip planners at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s website.

These printable, species-specific trip planners – which are available for prairie grouse, quail, pheasant, upland bird mixed bag, mule deer and wild turkey – condense a variety of useful information into two easy-to-read pages.

Areas offering best hunting and public access opportunities for each respective species are highlighted in the trip planners. They reference lodging options, highlight other recreational activities in the area, and recommend mixed-bag opportunities that can add great variety to a hunting trip. Each trip planner lists season dates, necessary permits and other important information.

“Our diverse landscape and abundant public access make Nebraska a hunting destination for people from around the nation,” said John Laux, Game and Parks’ upland game program manager. “Today’s hunters have access to a wide variety of online resources available to help them plan their next successful hunt and Nebraska’s trip planners make it more convenient than ever.”

Download the trip planners at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDAyMDYuMTY3MzcxMzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vb3V0ZG9vcm5lYnJhc2thLmdvdi9UcmlwUGxhbm5lcnMvIn0.mj3ov4SDoV1mGdijtTk2zcxR93gXH0UobKMmakTF2yY/br/74755939159-l" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.gov/TripPlanners</a>.

LINCOLN, Neb. – Start planning a 2020 spring turkey hunt today by downloading trip planners at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s website.These printable, species-specific trip planners – which are available for prairie grouse, quail, pheasant, upland bird mixed bag, mule deer and wild turkey – condense a variety of useful information into two easy-to-read pages.Areas offering best hunting and public access opportunities for each respective species are highlighted in the trip planners. They reference lodging options, highlight other recreational activities in the area, and recommend mixed-bag opportunities that can add great variety to a hunting trip. Each trip planner lists season dates, necessary permits and other important information.“Our diverse landscape and abundant public access make Nebraska a hunting destination for people from around the nation,” said John Laux, Game and Parks’ upland game program manager. “Today’s hunters have access to a wide variety of online resources available to help them plan their next successful hunt and Nebraska’s trip planners make it more convenient than ever.”Download the trip planners at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDAyMDYuMTY3MzcxMzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vb3V0ZG9vcm5lYnJhc2thLmdvdi9UcmlwUGxhbm5lcnMvIn0.mj3ov4SDoV1mGdijtTk2zcxR93gXH0UobKMmakTF2yY/br/74755939159-l" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.gov/TripPlanners</a>.

Hunting trip planners available on Game and Parks’ website

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Hundreds of Americans being evacuated from China over a viral outbreak will be quarantined in Texas and Nebraska, officials said Thursday, stressing that it was unlikely that anyone will arrive there with signs of illness.

Officials said about 70 Americans will be flown into Omaha and quarantined at a nearby Nebraska National Guard training base. In Texas, Lackland Air For Base in San Antonio was preparing to quarantine as many as 250 people who could arrive soon as Friday, said Dr. Jennifer McQuiston, deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control's division of high consequence pathogens and pathology.

All passengers will be arriving from Wuhan, China, the center of the new coronavirus outbreak. McQuiston said the plane bound for Texas will stop first at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California - where other evacuees from China are already under quarantine - and that anyone showing symptoms would be taken off the plane and remain there.

"It's actually very unlikely that on the flight that lands here, there will be somebody with active signs of illness," she said.

University of Nebraska Medical Center Chancellor Jeffrey Gold also said that all the evacuees should be healthy when they arrive at Eppley Airfield, which could happen soon as Thursday.

Evacuees will be quarantined for 14 days and monitored closely for any signs of illness. Anyone who shows signs of illness would be be brought to a hospital for treatment and isolation.

Nebraska National Guard officials have been preparing to house evacuees in three buildings with 85 hotel-style rooms at the camp. Guard officials have said the evacuees won't interact with guardsmen or employees there.

The new virus is in the coronavirus family that includes Middle East respiratory syndrome, or MERS, and severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS. It causes fever, cough, shortness of breath and, in severe cases, pneumonia. It has sickened more than 20,000 people and killed nearly 500, virtually all in China.

By JOSH FUNK-Associated PressOMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Hundreds of Americans being evacuated from China over a viral outbreak will be quarantined in Texas and Nebraska, officials said Thursday, stressing that it was unlikely that anyone will arrive there with signs of illness.Officials said about 70 Americans will be flown into Omaha and quarantined at a nearby Nebraska National Guard training base. In Texas, Lackland Air For Base in San Antonio was preparing to quarantine as many as 250 people who could arrive soon as Friday, said Dr. Jennifer McQuiston, deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control's division of high consequence pathogens and pathology.All passengers will be arriving from Wuhan, China, the center of the new coronavirus outbreak. McQuiston said the plane bound for Texas will stop first at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California - where other evacuees from China are already under quarantine - and that anyone showing symptoms would be taken off the plane and remain there."It's actually very unlikely that on the flight that lands here, there will be somebody with active signs of illness," she said.University of Nebraska Medical Center Chancellor Jeffrey Gold also said that all the evacuees should be healthy when they arrive at Eppley Airfield, which could happen soon as Thursday.Evacuees will be quarantined for 14 days and monitored closely for any signs of illness. Anyone who shows signs of illness would be be brought to a hospital for treatment and isolation.Nebraska National Guard officials have been preparing to house evacuees in three buildings with 85 hotel-style rooms at the camp. Guard officials have said the evacuees won't interact with guardsmen or employees there.The new virus is in the coronavirus family that includes Middle East respiratory syndrome, or MERS, and severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS. It causes fever, cough, shortness of breath and, in severe cases, pneumonia. It has sickened more than 20,000 people and killed nearly 500, virtually all in China.

Officials: 70 China evacuees to be quarantined in Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A Lincoln man has been imprisoned for shooting to death a man in the backseat of his car.

Jesse Wilson, 33, was sentenced Wednesday to 58 to 70 years in prison. He'd pleaded no contest in October to manslaughter and a weapons charge. Prosecutors had lowered both charges and dismissed two others in exchange for Wilson's pleas.

Wilson tried later to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/198d7eeec44d4b4591496c2111a2f160" target="_blank">withdraw</a>&nbsp;the pleas but then dropped the effort last month.

Wilson had reported that Stacy Talbot was in the backseat of Wilson's car with two other people when Talbot began hitting him on Oct. 18, 2018. Wilson then turned and shot the 42-year-old Talbot in the chest.

Talbot fell or jumped from the car, police said, and died later at a hospital.

Wilson said the shooting was self-defense, but prosecutors said there was no evidence Wilson had been injured before turning around to shoot Talbot.

Talbot was a former North Platte resident.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580991990859.png" alt="Jesse Wilson" />
 <figcaption>Jesse Wilson</figcaption>
 </figure>LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A Lincoln man has been imprisoned for shooting to death a man in the backseat of his car.Jesse Wilson, 33, was sentenced Wednesday to 58 to 70 years in prison. He'd pleaded no contest in October to manslaughter and a weapons charge. Prosecutors had lowered both charges and dismissed two others in exchange for Wilson's pleas.Wilson tried later to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/198d7eeec44d4b4591496c2111a2f160" target="_blank">withdraw</a>&nbsp;the pleas but then dropped the effort last month.Wilson had reported that Stacy Talbot was in the backseat of Wilson's car with two other people when Talbot began hitting him on Oct. 18, 2018. Wilson then turned and shot the 42-year-old Talbot in the chest.Talbot fell or jumped from the car, police said, and died later at a hospital.Wilson said the shooting was self-defense, but prosecutors said there was no evidence Wilson had been injured before turning around to shoot Talbot.Talbot was a former North Platte resident.

Man imprisoned for shooting death of former NP man

OMAHA, Neb.-United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Joseph Lloyd James, 48, of Norfolk, entered a plea of guilty today in federal court in Omaha to First Degree Murder in Indian Country.&nbsp; James murdered Phyllis Hunhoff, of Yankton, South Dakota, on the Santee Sioux Indian Reservation in Nebraska.&nbsp; United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher ordered a presentence investigation report and set sentencing for May 6, 2020 at 10 a.m. in Omaha.&nbsp;James’s plea agreement mandates a life sentence.&nbsp; As part of his plea agreement, he waives his right to appeal, to seek a pardon, or commutation.

Phyllis Hunhoff regularly traveled from her home in Yankton to her mother’s home in Utica, South Dakota.&nbsp; Her regular practice was to call her mother upon returning to Yankton.&nbsp; On November 4, 2018, at approximately 10 p.m., Phyllis Hunhoff left her mother’s residence, alone, to drive home to Yankton.&nbsp; She did not call her mother as she did not make it home.&nbsp; Having not heard from her daughter, her mother began repeatedly calling her phone to determine her whereabouts.&nbsp; All calls were unanswered.

James and other men were near Phyllis Hunhoff’s mother’s residence as she was leaving.&nbsp; James and another man encountered Phyllis Hunhoff outside of the residence and got into her car with her inside.&nbsp; James, Phyllis Hunhoff, and another man traveled to Norfolk, Nebraska, arriving at about 11:00 p.m.&nbsp; When they arrived in Norfolk, James remained in the vehicle, and the other man left the vehicle.&nbsp; James drove Phyllis Hunhoff’s vehicle, with her inside, to the Santee Sioux Indian Reservation in Knox County, Nebraska.&nbsp;

During the early morning hours of November 5, 2018, while on the Santee Sioux Indian Reservation, James killed Phyllis Hunhoff.&nbsp; He stabbed her with a knife and strangled her.&nbsp; She died in her vehicle as a result of the bleeding and strangulation.&nbsp; James drove Phyllis Hunhoff’s vehicle to a gas station on the Santee Sioux Indian Reservation.&nbsp; Video from the gas station showed James putting gasoline into her vehicle and driving away.&nbsp; Later, James returned in the same vehicle to the gas station and pumped gasoline into a soda bottle.&nbsp; James put the bottle containing the gasoline into the vehicle.&nbsp; He then drove to a wooded location on the Santee Sioux Indian Reservation in Knox County, Nebraska, where he set fire to Hunhoff’s body and her vehicle to conceal evidence of the murder.&nbsp; He abandoned the body and vehicle and left the area.

Law enforcement officers investigated the murder and obtained evidence, including surveillance footage of James at the gas station during the early morning hours of November 5, 2018.&nbsp; Santee Police recovered the shirt James was wearing when he killed Phyllis Hunhoff from a trash receptacle.&nbsp; Her DNA was on James’ shirt.&nbsp; James’s DNA was on clothing Phyllis Hunhoff was wearing when he killed her.&nbsp;

United States Attorney Joe Kelly expressed his appreciation for the hard work and cooperation of multiple law enforcement agencies in both Nebraska and South Dakota.&nbsp; “The quick and thorough work of these agencies, coupled thereafter with the acquisition of digital evidence, resulted in holding James accountable for this horrific crime and tragic loss for the Hunhoff family,” said USA Kelly.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Kristi Johnson added, “The FBI’s partnership with the Santee Sioux Nation Tribal Police, Knox County Sheriff, and Nebraska State Patrol were vital to the success of this investigation. So long as our Native American partners face terrible crimes like this on reservation land, the FBI stands ready to work alongside them as we together seek justice for all.”

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Nebraska State Patrol, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Santee Sioux Nation Tribal Police, Yankton County Sheriff’s Office, Yankton Police Department (South Dakota, Norfolk Police Department, the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the Nebraska State Fire Marshal, and the Lincoln Police Department.

News ReleaseOMAHA, Neb.-United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Joseph Lloyd James, 48, of Norfolk, entered a plea of guilty today in federal court in Omaha to First Degree Murder in Indian Country.&nbsp; James murdered Phyllis Hunhoff, of Yankton, South Dakota, on the Santee Sioux Indian Reservation in Nebraska.&nbsp; United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher ordered a presentence investigation report and set sentencing for May 6, 2020 at 10 a.m. in Omaha.&nbsp;James’s plea agreement mandates a life sentence.&nbsp; As part of his plea agreement, he waives his right to appeal, to seek a pardon, or commutation.Phyllis Hunhoff regularly traveled from her home in Yankton to her mother’s home in Utica, South Dakota.&nbsp; Her regular practice was to call her mother upon returning to Yankton.&nbsp; On November 4, 2018, at approximately 10 p.m., Phyllis Hunhoff left her mother’s residence, alone, to drive home to Yankton.&nbsp; She did not call her mother as she did not make it home.&nbsp; Having not heard from her daughter, her mother began repeatedly calling her phone to determine her whereabouts.&nbsp; All calls were unanswered.James and other men were near Phyllis Hunhoff’s mother’s residence as she was leaving.&nbsp; James and another man encountered Phyllis Hunhoff outside of the residence and got into her car with her inside.&nbsp; James, Phyllis Hunhoff, and another man traveled to Norfolk, Nebraska, arriving at about 11:00 p.m.&nbsp; When they arrived in Norfolk, James remained in the vehicle, and the other man left the vehicle.&nbsp; James drove Phyllis Hunhoff’s vehicle, with her inside, to the Santee Sioux Indian Reservation in Knox County, Nebraska.&nbsp;During the early morning hours of November 5, 2018, while on the Santee Sioux Indian Reservation, James killed Phyllis Hunhoff.&nbsp; He stabbed her with a knife and strangled her.&nbsp; She died in her vehicle as a result of the bleeding and strangulation.&nbsp; James drove Phyllis Hunhoff’s vehicle to a gas station on the Santee Sioux Indian Reservation.&nbsp; Video from the gas station showed James putting gasoline into her vehicle and driving away.&nbsp; Later, James returned in the same vehicle to the gas station and pumped gasoline into a soda bottle.&nbsp; James put the bottle containing the gasoline into the vehicle.&nbsp; He then drove to a wooded location on the Santee Sioux Indian Reservation in Knox County, Nebraska, where he set fire to Hunhoff’s body and her vehicle to conceal evidence of the murder.&nbsp; He abandoned the body and vehicle and left the area.Law enforcement officers investigated the murder and obtained evidence, including surveillance footage of James at the gas station during the early morning hours of November 5, 2018.&nbsp; Santee Police recovered the shirt James was wearing when he killed Phyllis Hunhoff from a trash receptacle.&nbsp; Her DNA was on James’ shirt.&nbsp; James’s DNA was on clothing Phyllis Hunhoff was wearing when he killed her.&nbsp;United States Attorney Joe Kelly expressed his appreciation for the hard work and cooperation of multiple law enforcement agencies in both Nebraska and South Dakota.&nbsp; “The quick and thorough work of these agencies, coupled thereafter with the acquisition of digital evidence, resulted in holding James accountable for this horrific crime and tragic loss for the Hunhoff family,” said USA Kelly.FBI Special Agent in Charge Kristi Johnson added, “The FBI’s partnership with the Santee Sioux Nation Tribal Police, Knox County Sheriff, and Nebraska State Patrol were vital to the success of this investigation. So long as our Native American partners face terrible crimes like this on reservation land, the FBI stands ready to work alongside them as we together seek justice for all.”The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Nebraska State Patrol, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Santee Sioux Nation Tribal Police, Yankton County Sheriff’s Office, Yankton Police Department (South Dakota, Norfolk Police Department, the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the Nebraska State Fire Marshal, and the Lincoln Police Department.

Nebraska man guilty in murder of woman found in burned car

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska's severe prison overcrowding is only going to get worse over the next few years if state officials don't take more aggressive steps to address the problem, a key state lawmaker said Wednesday.

Sen. Steve Lathrop, of Omaha, told a legislative committee that the state's prison population is projected to grow so fast that it will outpace the new beds that corrections officials are adding to try to ease pressure on their facilities.

Lathrop made the remarks as he proposed a new, $52 million Omaha community corrections facility to members of the Legislature's Appropriations Committee. The prison would house low-risk inmates as they transition back to society.

"Without some intervention by the Legislature, we'll be in a perpetual state of overcrowding," said Lathrop, the chairman of the Legislature's Judiciary Committee.

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. A 2015 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.

Lathrop pointed to estimates by the JFA Institute, a nonprofit criminal justice research group, which estimated that Nebraska's inmate population will continue to increase even after corrections officials construct the last of their new beds in 2023.

Nebraska's prisons hold about 2,000 more inmates than their current design capacity of 3,500, according to the Department of Correctional Services. Overcrowding has forced some prisoners to sleep on cots on the floor, while others double-bunk in cells designed for one inmate. Crowding and staffing shortages have also made it more difficult to provide prisoners with rehabilitative programming that could reduce their odds of re-offending.

JFA estimated that Nebraska's inmate population could top 7,000 by the late 2020s, but the prison system's design capacity is expected to stay at around 4,000 once all of the new beds are installed.

Scott Frakes, director of Nebraska's corrections department, said building a new facility in Omaha wouldn't help because there aren't enough low-risk offenders to fill it. Frakes said his staff members always try to place prisoners in the least restrictive settings possible, but they also have to consider public safety.

"My overriding concern is that (the proposal) will create an expectation that (the department) assign inmates to community corrections when they are not ready for it," Frakes said.

Doug Koebernick, a state inspector general who serves as a watchdog over the department, said the department appears to have too much bed space for female inmates and a major shortage of space for men.

Koebernick said crowding at the Nebraska State Penitentiary, a men's prison in Lincoln, is so severe that it's a safety risk for the people who work there. If state officials built a community corrections center in Omaha, he said, some of the lower-risk offenders could be moved there to relieve the pressure and help the inmates transition back into society.

"It's important that the legislature continue to take action to address prison overcrowding," Koebernick said.

By GRANT SCHULTE-Associated PressLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska's severe prison overcrowding is only going to get worse over the next few years if state officials don't take more aggressive steps to address the problem, a key state lawmaker said Wednesday.Sen. Steve Lathrop, of Omaha, told a legislative committee that the state's prison population is projected to grow so fast that it will outpace the new beds that corrections officials are adding to try to ease pressure on their facilities.Lathrop made the remarks as he proposed a new, $52 million Omaha community corrections facility to members of the Legislature's Appropriations Committee. The prison would house low-risk inmates as they transition back to society."Without some intervention by the Legislature, we'll be in a perpetual state of overcrowding," said Lathrop, the chairman of the Legislature's Judiciary Committee.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. A 2015 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.Lathrop pointed to estimates by the JFA Institute, a nonprofit criminal justice research group, which estimated that Nebraska's inmate population will continue to increase even after corrections officials construct the last of their new beds in 2023.Nebraska's prisons hold about 2,000 more inmates than their current design capacity of 3,500, according to the Department of Correctional Services. Overcrowding has forced some prisoners to sleep on cots on the floor, while others double-bunk in cells designed for one inmate. Crowding and staffing shortages have also made it more difficult to provide prisoners with rehabilitative programming that could reduce their odds of re-offending.JFA estimated that Nebraska's inmate population could top 7,000 by the late 2020s, but the prison system's design capacity is expected to stay at around 4,000 once all of the new beds are installed.Scott Frakes, director of Nebraska's corrections department, said building a new facility in Omaha wouldn't help because there aren't enough low-risk offenders to fill it. Frakes said his staff members always try to place prisoners in the least restrictive settings possible, but they also have to consider public safety."My overriding concern is that (the proposal) will create an expectation that (the department) assign inmates to community corrections when they are not ready for it," Frakes said.Doug Koebernick, a state inspector general who serves as a watchdog over the department, said the department appears to have too much bed space for female inmates and a major shortage of space for men.Koebernick said crowding at the Nebraska State Penitentiary, a men's prison in Lincoln, is so severe that it's a safety risk for the people who work there. If state officials built a community corrections center in Omaha, he said, some of the lower-risk offenders could be moved there to relieve the pressure and help the inmates transition back into society."It's important that the legislature continue to take action to address prison overcrowding," Koebernick said.

Senator: Nebraska prison crowding likely to get worse

FEBRUARY 5, 2020 (LINCOLN, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Nebraska State Troopers have recovered two Michigan children who had been reported missing and potentially endangered. The children were found while traveling with their parents on Interstate 80 near York.

The Nebraska State Patrol received information on the missing children from the Battle Creek Police Department in Michigan. At approximately 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, troopers were able to locate Karley Dunkelberger, 9, and Bentley Dunkelberger, 7, in a Ford E350 at a gas station in York. The children were with their parents.

The children, who were the subject of an Endangered Missing Alert issued in Colorado last week, were placed with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. They will be returned to the proper authorities in Michigan.

Their mother, Rebecca Dunkelberger, 37, of Battle Creek, Michigan, was arrested for outstanding warrants. Their father, Dennis Dunkelberger, was released.

The Battle Creek Police Department, Michigan State Police, Colorado Bureau of Investigations, Department of Health and Human Services, York County Sheriff’s Office, and Nebraska State Patrol all contributed in this effort

FEBRUARY 5, 2020 (LINCOLN, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Nebraska State Troopers have recovered two Michigan children who had been reported missing and potentially endangered. The children were found while traveling with their parents on Interstate 80 near York.The Nebraska State Patrol received information on the missing children from the Battle Creek Police Department in Michigan. At approximately 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, troopers were able to locate Karley Dunkelberger, 9, and Bentley Dunkelberger, 7, in a Ford E350 at a gas station in York. The children were with their parents.The children, who were the subject of an Endangered Missing Alert issued in Colorado last week, were placed with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. They will be returned to the proper authorities in Michigan.Their mother, Rebecca Dunkelberger, 37, of Battle Creek, Michigan, was arrested for outstanding warrants. Their father, Dennis Dunkelberger, was released.The Battle Creek Police Department, Michigan State Police, Colorado Bureau of Investigations, Department of Health and Human Services, York County Sheriff’s Office, and Nebraska State Patrol all contributed in this effort

Missing Michigan children located by Nebraska troopers near York

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - One or more planes carrying American evacuees from the growing coronavirus outbreak in China will be landing in Omaha, federal officials said Wednesday.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said planes also will arrive at military bases in California and Texas, and all the passengers will be screened by federal personnel for symptoms. Americans returning from China's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d44d31daa3bda2b2fa7175049633563b" target="_blank">Hubei province</a>, the center of the outbreak, will be subject to 14 days of mandatory quarantine.

It's unclear where the passengers headed to Omaha's Eppley Airfield will be coming from in China and where they will end up going if quarantined. Nebraska National Guard officials have been preparing to house some in three buildings with 85 hotel-style rooms at Camp Ashland, a guard training base about 30 miles (48 kilometers) southwest of the airport.

The guard has been working with Nebraska Medical Center officials.

"We have been asked to prepare to support this effort, and we're ready if needed," Taylor Wilson, a medical center spokesman, told the Omaha World-Herald on Monday.

On Wednesday, Wilson declined to answer questions about will happen to the evacuees who land in Omaha, assuming they don't require immediate medical attention.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - One or more planes carrying American evacuees from the growing coronavirus outbreak in China will be landing in Omaha, federal officials said Wednesday.The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said planes also will arrive at military bases in California and Texas, and all the passengers will be screened by federal personnel for symptoms. Americans returning from China's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d44d31daa3bda2b2fa7175049633563b" target="_blank">Hubei province</a>, the center of the outbreak, will be subject to 14 days of mandatory quarantine.It's unclear where the passengers headed to Omaha's Eppley Airfield will be coming from in China and where they will end up going if quarantined. Nebraska National Guard officials have been preparing to house some in three buildings with 85 hotel-style rooms at Camp Ashland, a guard training base about 30 miles (48 kilometers) southwest of the airport.The guard has been working with Nebraska Medical Center officials."We have been asked to prepare to support this effort, and we're ready if needed," Taylor Wilson, a medical center spokesman, told the Omaha World-Herald on Monday.On Wednesday, Wilson declined to answer questions about will happen to the evacuees who land in Omaha, assuming they don't require immediate medical attention.

Omaha a landing spot for some coronavirus evacuees

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A proposal that could lead to the expansion of the Nebraska Legislature faces an uncertain future after lawmakers failed to reach a vote on it Wednesday.

Senators passed over the measure after a three-hour legislative debate. It will only return for a vote if the sponsor, Speaker of the Legislature Jim Scheer, can show that it has at least 33 supportive senators required to overcome a filibuster.

Scheer said he plans to continue discussing the issue with senators but doesn't know whether he has the votes he needs.

Nebraska currently has 49 state senators in its one-house Legislature, and the Nebraska Constitution sets the maximum number at 50. Scheer's proposal would increase the maximum number to 55, if voters approve. Lawmakers would then need to pass a separate bill to add senators.

Scheer said he introduced it to ensure that lawmakers are responsive to their constituents as rural districts become larger due to population losses. Opponents raised concerns about the cost and the already limited space within the Capitol.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580923702741.png" alt="Senator Jim Scheer" />
 <figcaption>Senator Jim Scheer</figcaption>
 </figure>LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A proposal that could lead to the expansion of the Nebraska Legislature faces an uncertain future after lawmakers failed to reach a vote on it Wednesday.Senators passed over the measure after a three-hour legislative debate. It will only return for a vote if the sponsor, Speaker of the Legislature Jim Scheer, can show that it has at least 33 supportive senators required to overcome a filibuster.Scheer said he plans to continue discussing the issue with senators but doesn't know whether he has the votes he needs.Nebraska currently has 49 state senators in its one-house Legislature, and the Nebraska Constitution sets the maximum number at 50. Scheer's proposal would increase the maximum number to 55, if voters approve. Lawmakers would then need to pass a separate bill to add senators.Scheer said he introduced it to ensure that lawmakers are responsive to their constituents as rural districts become larger due to population losses. Opponents raised concerns about the cost and the already limited space within the Capitol.

Future unclear for proposal that could expand Legislature

OMAHA, NEB. (Feb 3, 2020) – The Aksarben Foundation, along with Nebraska Farm Bureau and the Nebraska Association of Fair Managers, announces that applications for the Nebraska Pioneer Farm and Nebraska Heritage Farm Awards are being accepted now through May 5, 2020. These awards recognize Nebraska farm families who have consecutively held ownership of land in the same family for at least 100 years (Pioneer) or 150 years (Heritage, respectively.

“We look forward to recognizing and awarding these Nebraska farm families each year. The dedication and perseverance demonstrated by these families is a testament to the strong Nebraska values that set our state apart and have been making Aksarben proud, for over 120 years,” said Sandra Reding, Aksarben Foundation President.

Partnering with Aksarben in sponsoring these awards each year, Nebraska Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson has said, “Nebraska Farm Bureau is proud to help sponsor these farm family awards. Nebraska Farm Bureau’s heritage and continuous mission is to serve Nebraska farm and ranch families, and these awards recognize the commitment to preserve and build Nebraska agriculture for future generations.”

Each honoree receives an engraved plaque and gatepost marker as permanent recognition of this milestone. The awards are presented during the annual county fair in which the land is located. For more information or to apply online, visit www.aksarben.org.

News ReleaseOMAHA, NEB. (Feb 3, 2020) – The Aksarben Foundation, along with Nebraska Farm Bureau and the Nebraska Association of Fair Managers, announces that applications for the Nebraska Pioneer Farm and Nebraska Heritage Farm Awards are being accepted now through May 5, 2020. These awards recognize Nebraska farm families who have consecutively held ownership of land in the same family for at least 100 years (Pioneer) or 150 years (Heritage, respectively.“We look forward to recognizing and awarding these Nebraska farm families each year. The dedication and perseverance demonstrated by these families is a testament to the strong Nebraska values that set our state apart and have been making Aksarben proud, for over 120 years,” said Sandra Reding, Aksarben Foundation President.Partnering with Aksarben in sponsoring these awards each year, Nebraska Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson has said, “Nebraska Farm Bureau is proud to help sponsor these farm family awards. Nebraska Farm Bureau’s heritage and continuous mission is to serve Nebraska farm and ranch families, and these awards recognize the commitment to preserve and build Nebraska agriculture for future generations.”Each honoree receives an engraved plaque and gatepost marker as permanent recognition of this milestone. The awards are presented during the annual county fair in which the land is located. For more information or to apply online, visit www.aksarben.org.

Aksarben Foundation now accepting applications for  2020 Farm Family Awards

LINCOLN, Neb. – The mountain lion harvest season in the South Subunit of the Pine Ridge is closed effective immediately, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

The harvest limit of four mountain lions (one female and three males) has been reached. The close of the season has been posted on Game and Parks’ mountain lion harvest season webpage (<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDAyMDUuMTY2NTQ0MDEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vb3V0ZG9vcm5lYnJhc2thLmdvdi9tb3VudGFpbmxpb25odW50aW5nLyJ9.em-MvzJzZFMgRqeZdvkXu5DnuAhW3Kd3RzaS6DLdLXY/br/74690259591-l" target="_blank">outdoornebraska.gov/mountainlionhunting</a>) and 1-800 number that hunters are required to check before hunting mountain lions each day.

The harvest season in the North Subunit of the Pine Ridge remains open to people with permits for that area. No mountain lions have been harvested in that unit. The season in the North Subunit will close when four total mountain lions, or two females, are harvested, whichever occurs first.

LINCOLN, Neb. – The mountain lion harvest season in the South Subunit of the Pine Ridge is closed effective immediately, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.The harvest limit of four mountain lions (one female and three males) has been reached. The close of the season has been posted on Game and Parks’ mountain lion harvest season webpage (<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDAyMDUuMTY2NTQ0MDEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vb3V0ZG9vcm5lYnJhc2thLmdvdi9tb3VudGFpbmxpb25odW50aW5nLyJ9.em-MvzJzZFMgRqeZdvkXu5DnuAhW3Kd3RzaS6DLdLXY/br/74690259591-l" target="_blank">outdoornebraska.gov/mountainlionhunting</a>) and 1-800 number that hunters are required to check before hunting mountain lions each day.The harvest season in the North Subunit of the Pine Ridge remains open to people with permits for that area. No mountain lions have been harvested in that unit. The season in the North Subunit will close when four total mountain lions, or two females, are harvested, whichever occurs first.

South Subunit mountain lion season closed effective immediately

FAIRFIELD, Calif. (AP) - Two jets carrying about 350 Americans fleeing the virus zone in China landed Wednesday morning at an Air Force base in Northern California. Some will be quarantined at a hotel on the base for 14 days while others will be quarantined at a Southern California military base, officials said.

Guests and staff at the hotel on Travis Air Force Base were moved out ahead of the planes' arrival, said Technical Sgt. Traci Keller. The Americans were evacuated from the Chinese city of Wuhan, which is at the center of the new virus outbreak. The base is near the city of Fairfield, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northeast of San Francisco,

Other planes carrying Americans from Wuhan will arrive Thursday at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas and Eppley Airfield in Omaha, Nebraska, where they will be quarantined, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control said.

The U.S. Northern Command tweeted that the planes that arrived in California carried about 350 people. Keller had no information about their health, but CDC officials were expected later Wednesday to provide more information about the evacuees.

One of the planes was scheduled to leave Travis Air Force Base later Wednesday to take Americans to the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar near San Diego, where those people will also quarantined for 14 days, the U.S. Northern Command said.

Also Wednesday, health authorities in the U.S. started shipping diagnostic test kits to labs in the U.S. and abroad. By the start of next week, testing for the virus will be done closer to patients, rather than at the CDC's lab in Atlanta, and states will begin to communicate test results to the public. The CDC plans to update the U.S. case counts three times each week on its website.

"Now is the time to act so we can slow the introduction and impact of this virus in the U.S.," said Dr. Nancy Messonnier of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "This is the beginning of what could be a long response."

The Americans were evacuated a week after another jet with 195 American evacuees from Wuhan arrived at March Air Reserve base in Southern California. They remain under a 14-day quarantine at the base.

The new virus is a member of the coronavirus family that's a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses that have caused outbreaks in the past.

FAIRFIELD, Calif. (AP) - Two jets carrying about 350 Americans fleeing the virus zone in China landed Wednesday morning at an Air Force base in Northern California. Some will be quarantined at a hotel on the base for 14 days while others will be quarantined at a Southern California military base, officials said.Guests and staff at the hotel on Travis Air Force Base were moved out ahead of the planes' arrival, said Technical Sgt. Traci Keller. The Americans were evacuated from the Chinese city of Wuhan, which is at the center of the new virus outbreak. The base is near the city of Fairfield, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northeast of San Francisco,Other planes carrying Americans from Wuhan will arrive Thursday at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas and Eppley Airfield in Omaha, Nebraska, where they will be quarantined, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control said.The U.S. Northern Command tweeted that the planes that arrived in California carried about 350 people. Keller had no information about their health, but CDC officials were expected later Wednesday to provide more information about the evacuees.One of the planes was scheduled to leave Travis Air Force Base later Wednesday to take Americans to the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar near San Diego, where those people will also quarantined for 14 days, the U.S. Northern Command said.Also Wednesday, health authorities in the U.S. started shipping diagnostic test kits to labs in the U.S. and abroad. By the start of next week, testing for the virus will be done closer to patients, rather than at the CDC's lab in Atlanta, and states will begin to communicate test results to the public. The CDC plans to update the U.S. case counts three times each week on its website."Now is the time to act so we can slow the introduction and impact of this virus in the U.S.," said Dr. Nancy Messonnier of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "This is the beginning of what could be a long response."The Americans were evacuated a week after another jet with 195 American evacuees from Wuhan arrived at March Air Reserve base in Southern California. They remain under a 14-day quarantine at the base.The new virus is a member of the coronavirus family that's a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses that have caused outbreaks in the past.

2 jets with Americans escaping virus zone land in California

NORTH PLATTE, Neb.-Three North Platte High School students earned superior awards in the 2020 Journalism Education Association (JEA) winter contest announced this week.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Senior Jakob Fisher won the highest award for his editorial cartoon “<a href="https://npbulldogger.com/6413/entertainment/jeff-bezos-saves-the-world/">Jeff Bezos Saves the World</a>.”&nbsp;

Senior Gracia Lantis received the highest recognition for her column “<a href="https://npbulldogger.com/7027/showcase/crossing-lines/">Crossing</a><a href="https://npbulldogger.com/7027/showcase/crossing-lines/">&nbsp;Lines</a>” rebutting criticism of North Platte High’s student section.&nbsp;

Junior Jonathan Brouillette scored the top honor for his<a href="https://npbulldogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Legislature-for-Nebraska-final.jpg"> advertisement</a>&nbsp;encouraging others to support the student press freedom bill LB206.&nbsp;

Across the state, 396 journalism students from 28 high schools earned an award in this year's JEA Nebraska Winter Contest.&nbsp; Yearbook, newspaper, literary magazine and broadcasting students across the state will receive certificates for entries judged Superior, Excellent&nbsp;and Honorable Mention.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“It is one thing to share news within your school community, but quite another to be evaluated by a professional and deemed worthy of recognition,” said JEA state director Marsha Kalkowski.

Since 2004, Nebraska’s JEA has sponsored this contest to showcase student work from the fall semester from across the state. Many advisers use this contest to test the competition in preparation for the NSAA State Journalism Contest.

There are 21 traditional categories: Advertising, Column Writing, Editorial Cartooning, Editorial Writing, Review Writing, Newspaper Feature Writing, InfoGraphic Design, News Writing, Newspaper Sports Feature Writing, Newspaper Sports News Coverage, Newspaper Layout,&nbsp;Headline Writing &amp; Design, News/Feature Photography, Sports/Action Photography, Photo Illustration, Yearbook Feature Writing, Yearbook Sports Writing, Yearbook Theme Copy Writing, Yearbook Layout, Yearbook Theme Development and In-Depth Coverage. Four broadcast&nbsp;categories: News, Feature, Sports and Overall Program and one literary magazine category.

Entries from each category were judged by professional journalists and veteran high school advisers from across the nation.

Anam Vaziri: Advertising &amp; Feature writing

Jonathan Brouillette: Entertainment review writing

Sophia Walsh: InfoGraphic design &amp; Sports/action photography

Jonathan Brouillette: Photo/artistic illustration

Angelina Sanchez: Yearbook theme copy writing

Coleman Riggins: Yearbook theme copy writing

North Platte High School Yearbook staff: Yearbook theme development

News ReleaseNORTH PLATTE, Neb.-Three North Platte High School students earned superior awards in the 2020 Journalism Education Association (JEA) winter contest announced this week.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580922465434.png" alt="Jakob Fisher (Photo: NPHS Journalism Dept.)" />
 <figcaption>Jakob Fisher (Photo: NPHS Journalism Dept.)</figcaption>
 </figure>Senior Jakob Fisher won the highest award for his editorial cartoon “<a href="https://npbulldogger.com/6413/entertainment/jeff-bezos-saves-the-world/">Jeff Bezos Saves the World</a>.”&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580922514114.png" alt="Gracia Lantis (Photo: NPHS Journalism Dept.)" />
 <figcaption>Gracia Lantis (Photo: NPHS Journalism Dept.)</figcaption>
 </figure>Senior Gracia Lantis received the highest recognition for her column “<a href="https://npbulldogger.com/7027/showcase/crossing-lines/">Crossing</a><a href="https://npbulldogger.com/7027/showcase/crossing-lines/">&nbsp;Lines</a>” rebutting criticism of North Platte High’s student section.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580922587680.png" alt="Jonathan Brouillette (Photo: NPHS Journalism Dept.)" />
 <figcaption>Jonathan Brouillette (Photo: NPHS Journalism Dept.)</figcaption>
 </figure>Junior Jonathan Brouillette scored the top honor for his<a href="https://npbulldogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Legislature-for-Nebraska-final.jpg"> advertisement</a>&nbsp;encouraging others to support the student press freedom bill LB206.&nbsp;Across the state, 396 journalism students from 28 high schools earned an award in this year's JEA Nebraska Winter Contest.&nbsp; Yearbook, newspaper, literary magazine and broadcasting students across the state will receive certificates for entries judged Superior, Excellent&nbsp;and Honorable Mention.&nbsp;&nbsp;“It is one thing to share news within your school community, but quite another to be evaluated by a professional and deemed worthy of recognition,” said JEA state director Marsha Kalkowski.Since 2004, Nebraska’s JEA has sponsored this contest to showcase student work from the fall semester from across the state. Many advisers use this contest to test the competition in preparation for the NSAA State Journalism Contest.There are 21 traditional categories: Advertising, Column Writing, Editorial Cartooning, Editorial Writing, Review Writing, Newspaper Feature Writing, InfoGraphic Design, News Writing, Newspaper Sports Feature Writing, Newspaper Sports News Coverage, Newspaper Layout,&nbsp;Headline Writing &amp; Design, News/Feature Photography, Sports/Action Photography, Photo Illustration, Yearbook Feature Writing, Yearbook Sports Writing, Yearbook Theme Copy Writing, Yearbook Layout, Yearbook Theme Development and In-Depth Coverage. Four broadcast&nbsp;categories: News, Feature, Sports and Overall Program and one literary magazine category.Entries from each category were judged by professional journalists and veteran high school advisers from across the nation.Other NPHS winners include:Excellent--Anam Vaziri: Advertising &amp; Feature writingJonathan Brouillette: Entertainment review writingJewels Zeiler: Feature writingTreven Hipwell: InfoGraphic designAnissa Hoffman: Sports feature writingKaylyn Casassa: Yearbook feature writingHonorable Mention--Sophia Walsh: InfoGraphic design &amp; Sports/action photographyGracia Lantis: News writingJewels Zeiler: News writingSierra Winder: Sports News writingTreven Hipwell: Newspaper layoutJonathan Brouillette: Photo/artistic illustrationAngelina Sanchez: Yearbook theme copy writingColeman Riggins: Yearbook theme copy writingNorth Platte High School Yearbook staff: Yearbook theme development

3 NPHS students earn top journalism awards

Today is Wednesday, Feb. 5, the 36th day of 2020. There are 330 days left in the year.

On Feb. 5, 2001, four disciples of Osama bin Laden went on trial in New York in the 1998 bombings of two U.S. embassies in Africa. (The four were convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole.)

In 1811, George, the Prince of Wales, was named Prince Regent due to the mental illness of his father, Britain's King George III.

In 1917, Mexico's present constitution was adopted by the Constitutional Convention in Santiago de Queretaro. The U.S. Congress passed, over President Woodrow Wilson's veto, an act severely curtailing Asian immigration.

In 1918, during World War I, the Cunard liner SS Tuscania, which was transporting about 2,000 American troops to Europe, was torpedoed by a German U-boat in the Irish Sea with the loss of more than 200 people.

In 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt proposed increasing the number of U.S. Supreme Court justices; the proposal, which failed in Congress, drew accusations that Roosevelt was attempting to "pack" the nation's highest court.

In 1971, Apollo 14 astronauts Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell stepped onto the surface of the moon in the first of two lunar excursions.

In 1983, former Nazi Gestapo official Klaus Barbie, expelled from Bolivia, was brought to Lyon (lee-OHN', France, to stand trial. (He was convicted and sentenced to life in prison -- he died in 1991.)

In 1988, the Arizona House impeached Republican Gov. Evan Mecham (MEE'-kuhm, setting the stage for his trial in the state Senate, where he was convicted of obstructing justice and misusing state funds allegedly funneled to his Pontiac dealership.

In 1993, President Bill Clinton signed the Family and Medical Leave Act, granting workers up to 12 weeks unpaid leave for family emergencies.

In 1994, white separatist Byron De La Beckwith was convicted in Jackson, Mississippi, of murdering civil rights leader Medgar Evers in 1963, and was immediately sentenced to life in prison. (Beckwith died Jan. 21, 2001 at age 80.)

In 1999, Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson was sentenced in Rockville, Md., to a year in jail for assaulting two motorists following a traffic accident (he ended up serving 3 1/2 months).

In 2002, A federal grand jury in Alexandria, Va., indicted John Walker Lindh on ten charges, alleging he was trained by Osama bin Laden's network and then conspired with the Taliban to kill Americans. (Lindh later pleaded guilty to lesser offenses and was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison. He was released in May 2019 after serving more than 17 years.)

In 2009, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg underwent surgery for pancreatic cancer.

Ten years ago: Toyota's president, Akio Toyoda, emerged from seclusion to apologize and address criticism that the automaker had mishandled a crisis over sticking gas pedals.

Five years ago: Jordan stepped up its air attacks on Islamic State facilities in Syria and expanded its airstrikes into Iraq for the first time after a captured Jordanian pilot was burned to death by the militant group. At the National Prayer Breakfast, President Barack Obama called the Islamic State group a "death cult" and condemned those who seek to use religion as a rationale for violence. RadioShack filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and said it would sell up to 2,400 stores.

One year ago: In his State of the Union address, President Donald Trump called on Washington to end what he called “ridiculous partisan investigation” and cast aside “revenge, resistance and retribution;” Trump accepted no blame for the rancorous atmosphere and refused to yield on the hard-line immigration policies that had infuriated Democrats and forced a government shutdown. In the Democratic response, Stacey Abrams, who had lost her bid in Georgia to become America’s first black woman governor, accused Trump of abandoning working Americans and bringing partisan and cultural discord. Chanting for yet another title, hundreds of thousands of fans jammed downtown Boston for a parade celebrating the New England Patriots’ sixth Super Bowl victory.

Today's Birthdays: Baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron is 86. Actor Stuart Damon is 83. Tony-winning playwright John Guare (gwayr) is 82. Financial writer Jane Bryant Quinn is 81. Actor David Selby is 79. Singer-songwriter Barrett Strong is 79. Football Hall of Famer Roger Staubach is 78. Movie director Michael Mann is 77. Rock singer Al Kooper is 76. Actress Charlotte Rampling is 74. Racing Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip is 73. Actress Barbara Hershey is 72. Actor Christopher Guest is 72. Actor Tom Wilkinson is 72. Actor-comedian Tim Meadows is 59. Actress Jennifer Jason Leigh is 58. Actress Laura Linney is 56. Rock musician Duff McKagan (Velvet Revolver) is 56. World Golf Hall of Famer Jose Maria Olazabal is 54. Actor-comedian Chris Parnell is 53. Rock singer Chris Barron (Spin Doctors) is 52. Singer Bobby Brown is 51. Actor Michael Sheen is 51. Actor David Chisum is 50. Country singer Sara Evans is 49. Country singer Tyler Farr is 36. Neo-soul musician Mark Shusterman (Nathaniel Rateliff &amp; the Night Sweats) is 35. Actor-singer Darren Criss is 33. Actor Alex Brightman is 33. Actor Henry Golding is 33. Rock musician Kyle Simmons (Bastille) is 32. Actor Jeremy Sumpter is 31. Drummer Graham Sierota (Echosmith) is 21.

Thought for Today: "Men do not desire to be rich, but to be richer than other men." — John Stuart Mill, English philosopher and economist (1806-1873).

Today in HistoryToday is Wednesday, Feb. 5, the 36th day of 2020. There are 330 days left in the year.Today's Highlight in History:On Feb. 5, 2001, four disciples of Osama bin Laden went on trial in New York in the 1998 bombings of two U.S. embassies in Africa. (The four were convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole.)On this date:In 1811, George, the Prince of Wales, was named Prince Regent due to the mental illness of his father, Britain's King George III.In 1917, Mexico's present constitution was adopted by the Constitutional Convention in Santiago de Queretaro. The U.S. Congress passed, over President Woodrow Wilson's veto, an act severely curtailing Asian immigration.In 1918, during World War I, the Cunard liner SS Tuscania, which was transporting about 2,000 American troops to Europe, was torpedoed by a German U-boat in the Irish Sea with the loss of more than 200 people.In 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt proposed increasing the number of U.S. Supreme Court justices; the proposal, which failed in Congress, drew accusations that Roosevelt was attempting to "pack" the nation's highest court.In 1971, Apollo 14 astronauts Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell stepped onto the surface of the moon in the first of two lunar excursions.In 1983, former Nazi Gestapo official Klaus Barbie, expelled from Bolivia, was brought to Lyon (lee-OHN', France, to stand trial. (He was convicted and sentenced to life in prison -- he died in 1991.)In 1988, the Arizona House impeached Republican Gov. Evan Mecham (MEE'-kuhm, setting the stage for his trial in the state Senate, where he was convicted of obstructing justice and misusing state funds allegedly funneled to his Pontiac dealership.In 1993, President Bill Clinton signed the Family and Medical Leave Act, granting workers up to 12 weeks unpaid leave for family emergencies.In 1994, white separatist Byron De La Beckwith was convicted in Jackson, Mississippi, of murdering civil rights leader Medgar Evers in 1963, and was immediately sentenced to life in prison. (Beckwith died Jan. 21, 2001 at age 80.)In 1999, Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson was sentenced in Rockville, Md., to a year in jail for assaulting two motorists following a traffic accident (he ended up serving 3 1/2 months).In 2002, A federal grand jury in Alexandria, Va., indicted John Walker Lindh on ten charges, alleging he was trained by Osama bin Laden's network and then conspired with the Taliban to kill Americans. (Lindh later pleaded guilty to lesser offenses and was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison. He was released in May 2019 after serving more than 17 years.)In 2009, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg underwent surgery for pancreatic cancer.Ten years ago: Toyota's president, Akio Toyoda, emerged from seclusion to apologize and address criticism that the automaker had mishandled a crisis over sticking gas pedals.Five years ago: Jordan stepped up its air attacks on Islamic State facilities in Syria and expanded its airstrikes into Iraq for the first time after a captured Jordanian pilot was burned to death by the militant group. At the National Prayer Breakfast, President Barack Obama called the Islamic State group a "death cult" and condemned those who seek to use religion as a rationale for violence. RadioShack filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and said it would sell up to 2,400 stores.One year ago: In his State of the Union address, President Donald Trump called on Washington to end what he called “ridiculous partisan investigation” and cast aside “revenge, resistance and retribution;” Trump accepted no blame for the rancorous atmosphere and refused to yield on the hard-line immigration policies that had infuriated Democrats and forced a government shutdown. In the Democratic response, Stacey Abrams, who had lost her bid in Georgia to become America’s first black woman governor, accused Trump of abandoning working Americans and bringing partisan and cultural discord. Chanting for yet another title, hundreds of thousands of fans jammed downtown Boston for a parade celebrating the New England Patriots’ sixth Super Bowl victory.Today's Birthdays: Baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron is 86. Actor Stuart Damon is 83. Tony-winning playwright John Guare (gwayr) is 82. Financial writer Jane Bryant Quinn is 81. Actor David Selby is 79. Singer-songwriter Barrett Strong is 79. Football Hall of Famer Roger Staubach is 78. Movie director Michael Mann is 77. Rock singer Al Kooper is 76. Actress Charlotte Rampling is 74. Racing Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip is 73. Actress Barbara Hershey is 72. Actor Christopher Guest is 72. Actor Tom Wilkinson is 72. Actor-comedian Tim Meadows is 59. Actress Jennifer Jason Leigh is 58. Actress Laura Linney is 56. Rock musician Duff McKagan (Velvet Revolver) is 56. World Golf Hall of Famer Jose Maria Olazabal is 54. Actor-comedian Chris Parnell is 53. Rock singer Chris Barron (Spin Doctors) is 52. Singer Bobby Brown is 51. Actor Michael Sheen is 51. Actor David Chisum is 50. Country singer Sara Evans is 49. Country singer Tyler Farr is 36. Neo-soul musician Mark Shusterman (Nathaniel Rateliff &amp; the Night Sweats) is 35. Actor-singer Darren Criss is 33. Actor Alex Brightman is 33. Actor Henry Golding is 33. Rock musician Kyle Simmons (Bastille) is 32. Actor Jeremy Sumpter is 31. Drummer Graham Sierota (Echosmith) is 21.Thought for Today: "Men do not desire to be rich, but to be richer than other men." — John Stuart Mill, English philosopher and economist (1806-1873).Copyright 2020, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Today in History-February 5

OGALLALA, Neb. (AP) - A Kansas man charged with the Nebraska collision deaths of four Iowa motorcyclists has taken a plea deal.

Jeser Cisneros-Hernandez, 24, of Liberal, Kansas, pleaded no contest Tuesday in Ogallala to reckless and willful vehicular homicide. Prosecutors dropped three more counts and two other charges in return for his pleas. His sentencing is scheduled for April 3.

Cisneros-Hernandez's vehicle hit&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/643eb231e2544919816ced9912ddcd0b" target="_blank">two motorcycles</a>&nbsp;carrying two people each on July 1, 2017, near Ogallala, prosecutors have said.

Two of them were 54-year-old Sheila Matheny and 61-year-old James Matheny, from Bedford, Iowa. The other motorcyclists were 58-year-old Michal Weese and 59-year-old Jerolyn Weese, who lived in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

OGALLALA, Neb. (AP) - A Kansas man charged with the Nebraska collision deaths of four Iowa motorcyclists has taken a plea deal.Jeser Cisneros-Hernandez, 24, of Liberal, Kansas, pleaded no contest Tuesday in Ogallala to reckless and willful vehicular homicide. Prosecutors dropped three more counts and two other charges in return for his pleas. His sentencing is scheduled for April 3.Cisneros-Hernandez's vehicle hit&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/643eb231e2544919816ced9912ddcd0b" target="_blank">two motorcycles</a>&nbsp;carrying two people each on July 1, 2017, near Ogallala, prosecutors have said.Two of them were 54-year-old Sheila Matheny and 61-year-old James Matheny, from Bedford, Iowa. The other motorcyclists were 58-year-old Michal Weese and 59-year-old Jerolyn Weese, who lived in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Kansas man takes deal in Nebraska crash deaths of 4 Iowans

CHAPPELL, Neb. (AP) - A woman has been given 20 to 40 years in prison for fatally stabbing a man in western Nebraska.

Deuel County District Court records say, Susan Glenn, 50, was sentenced Monday in Chappell. The judge credited her with 387 days already served. The records say she'd made a deal with prosecutors and entered guilty pleas to two counts of assault.

Glenn&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/78f1984af6f64dc09c17fc847333a7fd" target="_blank">stabbed</a>&nbsp;Robert Mick on Jan. 13 last year outside a mobile home in Chappell, prosecutors said. The court records say a witness who'd been standing outside the home talking to Mick was on a phone with 911 dispatchers when Glenn came out of the residence, stabbed Mick and fled in her car. He died four days later.

The records say Glenn acknowledged to investigators that she stabbed Mick.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580905504234.png" alt="Susan Glenn" />
 <figcaption>Susan Glenn</figcaption>
 </figure>CHAPPELL, Neb. (AP) - A woman has been given 20 to 40 years in prison for fatally stabbing a man in western Nebraska.Deuel County District Court records say, Susan Glenn, 50, was sentenced Monday in Chappell. The judge credited her with 387 days already served. The records say she'd made a deal with prosecutors and entered guilty pleas to two counts of assault.Glenn&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/78f1984af6f64dc09c17fc847333a7fd" target="_blank">stabbed</a>&nbsp;Robert Mick on Jan. 13 last year outside a mobile home in Chappell, prosecutors said. The court records say a witness who'd been standing outside the home talking to Mick was on a phone with 911 dispatchers when Glenn came out of the residence, stabbed Mick and fled in her car. He died four days later.The records say Glenn acknowledged to investigators that she stabbed Mick.

Woman gets 20-40 years for stabbing Nebraska man to death

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A proposal that could allow Nebraska's Legislature to expand from 49 to 55 senators hit a wave of opposition Tuesday, primarily from Democratic senators in the officially nonpartisan Legislature.

The proposal by Speaker of the Legislature Jim Scheer would give voters the chance to increase the maximum number of state lawmakers in Nebraska. If voters approved the ballot measure in the November election, lawmakers would then need to pass a bill to increase their ranks.

Scheer, a Republican, said he introduced the measure to ensure that rural constituents have easier access to their elected representatives. Many western Nebraska legislative districts are so sparsely populated that they cover enormous stretches of land.

But the measure could also result in more lawmakers from fast-growing suburban Omaha, which leans Republican, and that could give the GOP an even larger majority in the Legislature.

Scheer argued his proposal is merely the first step in the process of expanding the Legislature.

Opponents raised concerns about the cost of adding more senators and the strain on a state Capitol where space is already tight.

Scheer said he doesn't know if he has enough support to bring the measure to a vote.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A proposal that could allow Nebraska's Legislature to expand from 49 to 55 senators hit a wave of opposition Tuesday, primarily from Democratic senators in the officially nonpartisan Legislature.The proposal by Speaker of the Legislature Jim Scheer would give voters the chance to increase the maximum number of state lawmakers in Nebraska. If voters approved the ballot measure in the November election, lawmakers would then need to pass a bill to increase their ranks.Scheer, a Republican, said he introduced the measure to ensure that rural constituents have easier access to their elected representatives. Many western Nebraska legislative districts are so sparsely populated that they cover enormous stretches of land.But the measure could also result in more lawmakers from fast-growing suburban Omaha, which leans Republican, and that could give the GOP an even larger majority in the Legislature.Scheer argued his proposal is merely the first step in the process of expanding the Legislature.Opponents raised concerns about the cost of adding more senators and the strain on a state Capitol where space is already tight.Scheer said he doesn't know if he has enough support to bring the measure to a vote.

Proposal that could grow Nebraska Legislature hits roadblock

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Democratic congressional hopeful Kate Bolz officially entered the race Tuesday for Nebraska's 1st Congressional District.

Bolz, a state senator from Lincoln, filed papers to seek the seat held by eight-term U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, a Republican.

Bolz said she would work to ensure that people in the eastern Nebraska district have access to affordable health care. She said she would support legislation to lower prescription drug costs and promised never to take away insurance coverage from people with preexisting conditions.

"I'm running to represent you - to represent my friends and my neighbors," Bolz said at a press conference with supporters at the Capitol. "You deserve someone who cares, someone who listens, someone who puts your interests first in Washington D.C."

Bolz said she would also work to promote trade in a way that benefits farmers.

She faces an uphill battle against Fortenberry in the Republican-leaning district, which includes Lincoln, Fremont, Norfolk and Columbus.

Bolz has raised more than $133,000 since Oct. 1, around the time she declared her intention to run for the seat. She had about $75,000 in cash-on-hand as of the most recent filing period.

Fortenberry raised more than $482,000 last year and had $1.9 million in cash on hand.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580900749133.png" alt="Kate Bolz" />
 <figcaption>Kate Bolz</figcaption>
 </figure>LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Democratic congressional hopeful Kate Bolz officially entered the race Tuesday for Nebraska's 1st Congressional District.Bolz, a state senator from Lincoln, filed papers to seek the seat held by eight-term U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, a Republican.Bolz said she would work to ensure that people in the eastern Nebraska district have access to affordable health care. She said she would support legislation to lower prescription drug costs and promised never to take away insurance coverage from people with preexisting conditions."I'm running to represent you - to represent my friends and my neighbors," Bolz said at a press conference with supporters at the Capitol. "You deserve someone who cares, someone who listens, someone who puts your interests first in Washington D.C."Bolz said she would also work to promote trade in a way that benefits farmers.She faces an uphill battle against Fortenberry in the Republican-leaning district, which includes Lincoln, Fremont, Norfolk and Columbus.Bolz has raised more than $133,000 since Oct. 1, around the time she declared her intention to run for the seat. She had about $75,000 in cash-on-hand as of the most recent filing period.Fortenberry raised more than $482,000 last year and had $1.9 million in cash on hand.

Democrat Kate Bolz files to run for Nebraska's 1st District

NORTH PLATTE, Neb.-During the afternoon and evening hours of Friday, January 31, Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) conducted alcohol inspections in Red Willow County.

This project was supported in whole or part by grant #93.959 under the SAMHSA Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, Region II Human Services, and the Nebraska DHHS Division of Behavioral Health.

In total, ten businesses were inspected. One of those businesses sold alcohol to a minor for a non-compliance rate of 10 percent. The business that failed the inspection was:

Schmick’s Market – McCook (Did not check ID, sold to minor)

The businesses checked include liquor stores, convenience stores, restaurants, and bars. Businesses that fail the inspections are referred to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission. Clerks who sell alcohol to a minor are cited for procuring alcohol for a minor.

NORTH PLATTE, Neb.-During the afternoon and evening hours of Friday, January 31, Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) conducted alcohol inspections in Red Willow County.This project was supported in whole or part by grant #93.959 under the SAMHSA Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, Region II Human Services, and the Nebraska DHHS Division of Behavioral Health.In total, ten businesses were inspected. One of those businesses sold alcohol to a minor for a non-compliance rate of 10 percent. The business that failed the inspection was:Schmick’s Market – McCook (Did not check ID, sold to minor)The businesses checked include liquor stores, convenience stores, restaurants, and bars. Businesses that fail the inspections are referred to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission. Clerks who sell alcohol to a minor are cited for procuring alcohol for a minor.

Alcohol inspections held in Red Willow County

Scotty C and Kyle chat with Myrna Liebig from the AARP Foundation about their free tax preparation service offered each Saturday at the North Platte Public Library from 9:30 am-3:30 pm. Listen to learn how you can take advantage of this amazing service!

Scotty C and Kyle chat with Myrna Liebig from the AARP Foundation about their free tax preparation service offered each Saturday at the North Platte Public Library from 9:30 am-3:30 pm. Listen to learn how you can take advantage of this amazing service!<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/754997209&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: AARP Foundation Tax Preparation Service Offered Free at NP Public Library

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has suspended its study abroad programs and faculty travel to China amid the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d2d45764cebc6baecb1f3a5f51ccbf1d" target="_blank">global spread</a>&nbsp;of coronavirus.

Chancellor Ronnie Green said the university will follow the advisory issued by the Centers for Disease Control. The CDC recommended Jan. 6 that travelers avoid nonessential travel to China.

University policy allows students to request a waiver, however.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has suspended its study abroad programs and faculty travel to China amid the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d2d45764cebc6baecb1f3a5f51ccbf1d" target="_blank">global spread</a>&nbsp;of coronavirus.Chancellor Ronnie Green said the university will follow the advisory issued by the Centers for Disease Control. The CDC recommended Jan. 6 that travelers avoid nonessential travel to China.University policy allows students to request a waiver, however.Green said in an email to the campus that the university suspended its programs for the 2020 spring semester and will monitor the situation ahead of a decision about summer travel."This decision affects only a limited number of students," Green said. "The university is in contact with those students and will work with them to adjust their academic plans for the semester."No Nebraska cases of coronavirus have been confirmed, and officials have said there are only 11 confirmed cases so far in the United States.

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