Nebraska man still missing 

Federal prosecutors say a 61-year-old Omaha man has been sentenced to federal prison after he carried out a more than 20-year campaign to stalk and terrorize a woman he met at a church singles club. 

The U.S. Attorney's Office for Nebraska says Craig Niedbalski was sentenced Wednesday to more than four years in federal prison for convictions of internet stalking and transporting an explosive with intent to injure. 

Investigators say Niedbalski sent the woman more than 100 threatening and sexually explicit letters and postcards, as well as what appeared to be a pipe bomb in 2003 and an improvised explosive device in 2018. No one was injured.

Federal prosecutors say a 61-year-old Omaha man has been sentenced to federal prison after he carried out a more than 20-year campaign to stalk and terrorize a woman he met at a church singles club. The U.S. Attorney's Office for Nebraska says Craig Niedbalski was sentenced Wednesday to more than four years in federal prison for convictions of internet stalking and transporting an explosive with intent to injure. Investigators say Niedbalski sent the woman more than 100 threatening and sexually explicit letters and postcards, as well as what appeared to be a pipe bomb in 2003 and an improvised explosive device in 2018. No one was injured.

Omaha man gets prison after 20 years of stalking woman

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=dateline:%22JUNEAU,%20Alaska%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">JUNEAU, Alaska</a>&nbsp;(AP)-Marijuana shops in Alaska will be among the first nationally where onsite use would be permitted.

Alaska's legal marijuana industry hit the milestone Thursday as regulators approved the first retail stores in the state that will be allowed to have customers smoke or consume marijuana products on site. 

Chris Lindsey of the Marijuana Policy Project says that while some cities in other states have approved such actions, these are the first state-issued approvals. 

The Marijuana Control Board approved the applications on 3-2 votes.

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=dateline:%22JUNEAU,%20Alaska%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">JUNEAU, Alaska</a>&nbsp;(AP)-Marijuana shops in Alaska will be among the first nationally where onsite use would be permitted. Alaska's legal marijuana industry hit the milestone Thursday as regulators approved the first retail stores in the state that will be allowed to have customers smoke or consume marijuana products on site. Chris Lindsey of the Marijuana Policy Project says that while some cities in other states have approved such actions, these are the first state-issued approvals. The Marijuana Control Board approved the applications on 3-2 votes.

Alaska pot shops to be among 1st in US to allow consumption

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A truck driver died after his semitrailer collided with another on Interstate 80 when both vehicles went out of control on the west side of Lincoln, authorities said.

The crash occurred around 10:40 p.m. Thursday when the drivers lost control of their eastbound trucks in the dicey winter weather. Both vehicles ended up in the median.

One of the drivers was pronounced dead at the scene. He's been identified as Tanner Bramman, 25, of Hastings, authorities said. The other driver was identified as Bradley Moss, 49, of Aurora. Moss wasn't injured, the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office said in a news release Friday.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A truck driver died after his semitrailer collided with another on Interstate 80 when both vehicles went out of control on the west side of Lincoln, authorities said.The crash occurred around 10:40 p.m. Thursday when the drivers lost control of their eastbound trucks in the dicey winter weather. Both vehicles ended up in the median.One of the drivers was pronounced dead at the scene. He's been identified as Tanner Bramman, 25, of Hastings, authorities said. The other driver was identified as Bradley Moss, 49, of Aurora. Moss wasn't injured, the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office said in a news release Friday.The collision is being investigated.

Authorities: 1 driver died after trucks collided on I-80

By MARK KENNEDY and DAVID BAUDER, Associated Press

A longtime host of the nightly PBS "NewsHour" whose serious, sober demeanor made him the choice to moderate 11 presidential debates, has died. Jim Lehrer was 85. 

He and  longtime partner Robert MacNeil began nightly reports on PBS in 1975. The show featured detailed reports and discussions of politics, international relations, science, and even the arts. 

MacNeil stepped down from the show in 1995. Tributes poured in from colleagues and watchers alike, including from Fox News' Bret Baier, who called Lehrer "an inspiration to a whole generation of political journalists — including this one." 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579818110334.png" alt="Jim Lehrer at the 2007 Texas Book Festival, Austin, Texas / <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Lehrer#/media/File:Jim_lehrer_2007.jpg">Photo by Larry D. Moore CC BY-SA 3.0</a>" />
 <figcaption>Jim Lehrer at the 2007 Texas Book Festival, Austin, Texas / <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Lehrer#/media/File:Jim_lehrer_2007.jpg">Photo by Larry D. Moore CC BY-SA 3.0</a></figcaption>
 </figure>By MARK KENNEDY and DAVID BAUDER, Associated PressA longtime host of the nightly PBS "NewsHour" whose serious, sober demeanor made him the choice to moderate 11 presidential debates, has died. Jim Lehrer was 85. He and longtime partner Robert MacNeil began nightly reports on PBS in 1975. The show featured detailed reports and discussions of politics, international relations, science, and even the arts. MacNeil stepped down from the show in 1995. Tributes poured in from colleagues and watchers alike, including from Fox News' Bret Baier, who called Lehrer "an inspiration to a whole generation of political journalists — including this one."

Longtime PBS host, debate moderator Jim Lehrer dies at 85

OMAHA — Tracks found in the snow leading away from a vehicle assisted Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) in making an arrest Wednesday. The arrest followed a pursuit of a stolen vehicle Wednesday between Fremont and Omaha.

At approximately 9:45 a.m. Wednesday, a trooper located a Pontiac G6 that had just been reported stolen from the Fremont area. The vehicle was traveling eastbound on Highway 275 between Fremont and Waterloo.

The trooper attempted a traffic stop, but the driver refused to stop and accelerated. The vehicle turned eastbound on Dodge Street toward Omaha. At that point, the trooper terminated the pursuit because of weather conditions.

A short time later, additional troopers were notified that a vehicle matching the description of the stolen Pontiac had crashed into the ditch of Dodge Street near 168th&nbsp;Street. Footprints in the snow led troopers to the Best Buy located at Village Pointe and store personnel were able to direct them to a bathroom where the suspect was hiding.

Troopers then arrested Tony Collins, 33, of Omaha, for theft by unlawful taking, flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, and driving under suspension. He was lodged in Douglas County Corrections.

OMAHA — Tracks found in the snow leading away from a vehicle assisted Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) in making an arrest Wednesday. The arrest followed a pursuit of a stolen vehicle Wednesday between Fremont and Omaha.At approximately 9:45 a.m. Wednesday, a trooper located a Pontiac G6 that had just been reported stolen from the Fremont area. The vehicle was traveling eastbound on Highway 275 between Fremont and Waterloo.The trooper attempted a traffic stop, but the driver refused to stop and accelerated. The vehicle turned eastbound on Dodge Street toward Omaha. At that point, the trooper terminated the pursuit because of weather conditions.A short time later, additional troopers were notified that a vehicle matching the description of the stolen Pontiac had crashed into the ditch of Dodge Street near 168th&nbsp;Street. Footprints in the snow led troopers to the Best Buy located at Village Pointe and store personnel were able to direct them to a bathroom where the suspect was hiding.Troopers then arrested Tony Collins, 33, of Omaha, for theft by unlawful taking, flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, and driving under suspension. He was lodged in Douglas County Corrections.

Snow tracks lead to arrest of pursuit suspect

The Nebraska State Patrol has joined an investigation into an officer-involved shooting at a residence in eastern Nebraska's Cass County. 

Officers had been called Wednesday night to the home northeast of Louisville. Station KETV reports that several shots were fired but no officers were injured. 

It's unclear who shot first: an armed man at the home or the officers. 

The wounded man was taken to Omaha hospital for treatment. 

His name and other details about the shooting have not been released.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Nebraska State Patrol has joined an investigation into an officer-involved shooting at a residence in eastern Nebraska's Cass County. Officers had been called Wednesday night to the home northeast of Louisville. Station KETV reports that several shots were fired but no officers were injured. It's unclear who shot first: an armed man at the home or the officers. The wounded man was taken to Omaha hospital for treatment. His name and other details about the shooting have not been released.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Man hospitalized after being shot by officer

Authorities have detained a man after his brother died in a fight on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in southwestern South Dakota. 

Officers from the Oglala Sioux Tribe's Department of Public Safety were called about an assault at a home near Porcupine early Wednesday. 

A witness told arriving officers that two family members were fighting. Officers “observed a large amount of blood” and found a man who had been struck with an unknown object. 

The man was taken to the Indian Health Service hospital, where he was pronounced dead. 

A brother allegedly involved in the fight was treated for minor injuries and taken to jail.&nbsp;

Authorities have detained a man after his brother died in a fight on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in southwestern South Dakota. Officers from the Oglala Sioux Tribe's Department of Public Safety were called about an assault at a home near Porcupine early Wednesday. A witness told arriving officers that two family members were fighting. Officers “observed a large amount of blood” and found a man who had been struck with an unknown object. The man was taken to the Indian Health Service hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A brother allegedly involved in the fight was treated for minor injuries and taken to jail.&nbsp;

Man held in brother's death on Pine Ridge Reservation

Union Pacific's fourth-quarter profit fell 10% as the railroad hauled 11% less freight. 

The Omaha, Nebraska, railroad said Thursday that it earned $1.4 billion, or $2.02 per share, in the quarter. 

That's down from $1.55 billion, or $2.12 per share, a year earlier.

 The results fell short of Wall Street expectations. The analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research expected earnings of $2.03 per share on average. 

The railroad's revenue fell 9% to $5.21 billion in the period. Four analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $5.17 billion.

Union Pacific's fourth-quarter profit fell 10% as the railroad hauled 11% less freight. The Omaha, Nebraska, railroad said Thursday that it earned $1.4 billion, or $2.02 per share, in the quarter. That's down from $1.55 billion, or $2.12 per share, a year earlier. The results fell short of Wall Street expectations. The analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research expected earnings of $2.03 per share on average. The railroad's revenue fell 9% to $5.21 billion in the period. Four analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $5.17 billion.

Union Pacific 4Q delivery volume falls, so does its profit

Nebraska's attorney general has filed a lawsuit against a state commission that voted to allow machine bets on previously run horse races despite the attorney general's warnings that the machines are illegal.

 The lawsuit 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 gambling. 

The attorney general's office says the commission's vote amounts to a unilateral decision to expand gambling without action by the Legislature or the citizens of Nebraska.

Nebraska's attorney general has filed a lawsuit against a state commission that voted to allow machine bets on previously run horse races despite the attorney general's warnings that the machines are illegal. The lawsuit 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 gambling. The attorney general's office says the commission's vote amounts to a unilateral decision to expand gambling without action by the Legislature or the citizens of Nebraska.

Nebraska AG sues panel that approved horse-racing machines

A woman charged after the Omaha drowning death of her infant great-granddaughter has been sentenced to two years of probation.

 Court records say 63-year-old Sandra Laravie pleaded guilty Tuesday to attempted negligent child abuse resulting in death. 

Prosecutors had reduced the charge in exchange for her plea. Laravie was accused of leaving 4-month-old Zavara Taylor unattended in a bathtub on Aug. 22, 2018. 

When Laravie returned to the bathroom, Zavara was unresponsive. Authorities say she'd slipped from a hammock-like bath seat, was underwater and covered with a brown mat that had slipped into the tub.

A woman charged after the Omaha drowning death of her infant great-granddaughter has been sentenced to two years of probation. Court records say 63-year-old Sandra Laravie pleaded guilty Tuesday to attempted negligent child abuse resulting in death. Prosecutors had reduced the charge in exchange for her plea. Laravie was accused of leaving 4-month-old Zavara Taylor unattended in a bathtub on Aug. 22, 2018. When Laravie returned to the bathroom, Zavara was unresponsive. Authorities say she'd slipped from a hammock-like bath seat, was underwater and covered with a brown mat that had slipped into the tub.

Woman gets probation in drowning of great-granddaughter

A Sioux Falls day care provider has been charged with manslaughter following the death of a baby who became strangled in a car seat. 

Prosecutors say Kayla Styles left the 9-month-old boy in the car seat to nap Nov. 14 and when she checked two hours later she found the baby was slumped down with the seat's straps pressing against his neck. 

The Argus Leader reports the coroner determined the cause of death was “positional asphyxia due to inappropriate sleep environment.” 

The 30-year-old Styles is charged with second-degree manslaughter and abuse of a minor. 

She was arrested Tuesday. It was not clear if Styles has hired an attorney.

A Sioux Falls day care provider has been charged with manslaughter following the death of a baby who became strangled in a car seat. Prosecutors say Kayla Styles left the 9-month-old boy in the car seat to nap Nov. 14 and when she checked two hours later she found the baby was slumped down with the seat's straps pressing against his neck. The Argus Leader reports the coroner determined the cause of death was “positional asphyxia due to inappropriate sleep environment.” The 30-year-old Styles is charged with second-degree manslaughter and abuse of a minor. She was arrested Tuesday. It was not clear if Styles has hired an attorney.

SD Day care provider charged in baby's strangulation death

Authorities say a driver was killed in a collision involving two cars and a semitrailer on the south end of York. 

First responders were sent to an intersection just east of U.S. Highway 81 a little before 6 p.m. Tuesday. 

Authorities say one car driver died and the other was taken to a York hospital for treatment. 

The condition of the truck driver wasn't clear. The names of those involved and other details about what happened haven't been released.

Authorities say a driver was killed in a collision involving two cars and a semitrailer on the south end of York. First responders were sent to an intersection just east of U.S. Highway 81 a little before 6 p.m. Tuesday. Authorities say one car driver died and the other was taken to a York hospital for treatment. The condition of the truck driver wasn't clear. The names of those involved and other details about what happened haven't been released.

Car driver killed, another injured in collision with semi

A Nebraska man who was acquitted of a murder charge has been imprisoned for conspiring to commit a robbery in Hastings. 

Daniel Harden was sentenced Tuesday to 40 to 44 years. 

He was charged with first-degree murder, a weapons count and conspiracy to commit robbery. But jurors convicted him only of the robbery charge. 

He was accused of shooting to death Jose Hansen on Sept. 11, 2017. 

Prosecutors had said that Harden and another man, Deante Mullen, tried to rob Hansen, and Hansen was shot in the back. 

A Nebraska man who was acquitted of a murder charge has been imprisoned for conspiring to commit a robbery in Hastings. Daniel Harden was sentenced Tuesday to 40 to 44 years. He was charged with first-degree murder, a weapons count and conspiracy to commit robbery. But jurors convicted him only of the robbery charge. He was accused of shooting to death Jose Hansen on Sept. 11, 2017. Prosecutors had said that Harden and another man, Deante Mullen, tried to rob Hansen, and Hansen was shot in the back. Mullen awaits sentencing Feb. 11.&nbsp;

Man acquitted of murder gets 40-44 years on robbery charge

DETROIT (AP) — Two different air bag glitches have forced Toyota and Honda to recall over 6 million vehicles worldwide, and both problems present different dangers to motorists.

The Toyota recall affects about 3.4 million vehicles globally and is being done because the air bags may not inflate in a crash. The cars have air bag control computers made by ZF-TRW that are vulnerable to electrical interference and may not signal the bags to inflate.

The problem could affect as many as 12.3 million vehicles in the U.S. made by six companies. It’s possible that as many as eight people were killed when air bags didn’t inflate. U.S. safety regulators are investigating.

Honda’s recall covers about 2.7 million vehicles in the U.S. and Canada with Takata air bag inflators. But they’re a different version than the ones blamed for 25 deaths worldwide. Still, it’s possible the air bags could blow apart a metal canister and hurl shrapnel at drivers and passengers.

In a statement, Toyota said the computer may not have adequate protection against electrical noise that can happen in crashes, such as when the vehicle runs under a different vehicle. The problem can cause incomplete opening of the air bags, or they may not open at all. Devices that prepare seat belts for a collision also may not work.

In most cases Toyota dealers will install a noise filter between the air bag control computer and a wiring harness. But in some vehicles dealers will inspect the computer to determine if it needs the filter. Owners will be notified by mid-March.

The recall covers certain 2011-2019 Corollas, the 2011 to 2013 Matrix, the 2012 through 2018 Avalon and the 2013 to 2018 Avalon Hybrid in the U.S.

Toyota wouldn’t say if it will offer loaner cars to people who fear their air bags might not protect them. A spokeswoman suggested that owners call its customer hotline to discuss their issue at (800) 331-4331.

In March of 2017, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began investigating problems with ZF-TRW air bag computers. The probe was expanded in April of last year to 12.3 million vehicles made by Toyota, Honda, Kia, Hyundai, Mitsubishi and Fiat Chrysler from the 2010 through 2019 model years.

Toyota joins Hyundai, Kia and Fiat Chrysler in issuing recalls for the problem. Four deaths that may have been caused by the problem were reported in Hyundai-Kia vehicles and three in Fiat Chrysler automobiles. The investigation was upgraded after investigators found two serious crashes involving 2018 and 2019 Toyota Corollas in which the air bags did not inflate. One person was killed. Toyota said it’s cooperating in the probe, which is continuing.

NHTSA is evaluation how susceptible the air bag control units are to electrical signals as well as other factors that could stop air bags from inflating. In documents, the agency said that it didn’t find any other cases of electrical interference in Hyundai, Kia or Fiat Chrysler vehicles that used the ZF-TRW system but were not recalled.

ZF-TRW said Tuesday it continues to cooperate with the NHTSA investigation.

The Honda recall covers certain Honda and Acura vehicles from the 1996 to 2003 model years. Honda vehicles included are the 1998 to 2000 Accord Coupe and Sedan, the 1996 to 2000 Civic coupe and sedan, the 1997 to 2001 CR-V, the 1998 to 2001 Odyssey and the 1997 and 1998 EV Plus.

Acura vehicles covered are the 1997 and 1998 2.2CL, the 1997 to 1999 3.0CL, the 1998 and 1999 2.3CL, the 2001 and 2002 3.2CL, the 2001 and 2002 MDX, the 1998 to 2003 3.5RL, and the 1999 to 2001 3.2TL.

The front driver’s inflators being recalled are part of a recall announced by Takata in November covering at least 1.4 million vehicles from five automakers. Honda said it’s recalling a larger number of vehicles to make sure it gets all of the bad inflators.

In this case, the inflators don’t contain ammonium nitrate, which is blamed for previous Takata problems that have killed 25 people and injured hundreds worldwide.

But three of the newly recalled inflators exploded and hurled shrapnel, two in Japan and one in Texas that injured a driver, Honda said in a statement. The company said in all three cases, the inflators were exposed to excessive moisture. In Texas, the car had a salvage title with a date that coincided with a major flood, while the two cases in Japan were in salvage yards where the windows are typically left open, the company said.

“Honda believes that the risk of improper air bag deployment in its vehicles remains very low at this time, but we cannot absolutely guarantee the performance of any recalled part,” the company said in a statement.

Owners will be notified in mid-March, but replacement parts won’t be available for another year, Honda said.

For the most up to date information surrounding recalls visit nhtsa.gov/recalls. For any additional questions, customer support is also available by calling the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331 or the Lexus Guest Experience Center at 1-800-255-3987.

CORRECTED, 9:30 a.m. Wednesday to reflect correct customer support telephone number.

DETROIT (AP) — Two different air bag glitches have forced Toyota and Honda to recall over 6 million vehicles worldwide, and both problems present different dangers to motorists.The Toyota recall affects about 3.4 million vehicles globally and is being done because the air bags may not inflate in a crash. The cars have air bag control computers made by ZF-TRW that are vulnerable to electrical interference and may not signal the bags to inflate.The problem could affect as many as 12.3 million vehicles in the U.S. made by six companies. It’s possible that as many as eight people were killed when air bags didn’t inflate. U.S. safety regulators are investigating.Honda’s recall covers about 2.7 million vehicles in the U.S. and Canada with Takata air bag inflators. But they’re a different version than the ones blamed for 25 deaths worldwide. Still, it’s possible the air bags could blow apart a metal canister and hurl shrapnel at drivers and passengers.Both recalls were announced on Tuesday.In a statement, Toyota said the computer may not have adequate protection against electrical noise that can happen in crashes, such as when the vehicle runs under a different vehicle. The problem can cause incomplete opening of the air bags, or they may not open at all. Devices that prepare seat belts for a collision also may not work.In most cases Toyota dealers will install a noise filter between the air bag control computer and a wiring harness. But in some vehicles dealers will inspect the computer to determine if it needs the filter. Owners will be notified by mid-March.The recall covers certain 2011-2019 Corollas, the 2011 to 2013 Matrix, the 2012 through 2018 Avalon and the 2013 to 2018 Avalon Hybrid in the U.S.Toyota wouldn’t say if it will offer loaner cars to people who fear their air bags might not protect them. A spokeswoman suggested that owners call its customer hotline to discuss their issue at (800) 331-4331.In March of 2017, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began investigating problems with ZF-TRW air bag computers. The probe was expanded in April of last year to 12.3 million vehicles made by Toyota, Honda, Kia, Hyundai, Mitsubishi and Fiat Chrysler from the 2010 through 2019 model years.Toyota joins Hyundai, Kia and Fiat Chrysler in issuing recalls for the problem. Four deaths that may have been caused by the problem were reported in Hyundai-Kia vehicles and three in Fiat Chrysler automobiles. The investigation was upgraded after investigators found two serious crashes involving 2018 and 2019 Toyota Corollas in which the air bags did not inflate. One person was killed. Toyota said it’s cooperating in the probe, which is continuing.NHTSA is evaluation how susceptible the air bag control units are to electrical signals as well as other factors that could stop air bags from inflating. In documents, the agency said that it didn’t find any other cases of electrical interference in Hyundai, Kia or Fiat Chrysler vehicles that used the ZF-TRW system but were not recalled.ZF-TRW said Tuesday it continues to cooperate with the NHTSA investigation.The Honda recall covers certain Honda and Acura vehicles from the 1996 to 2003 model years. Honda vehicles included are the 1998 to 2000 Accord Coupe and Sedan, the 1996 to 2000 Civic coupe and sedan, the 1997 to 2001 CR-V, the 1998 to 2001 Odyssey and the 1997 and 1998 EV Plus.Acura vehicles covered are the 1997 and 1998 2.2CL, the 1997 to 1999 3.0CL, the 1998 and 1999 2.3CL, the 2001 and 2002 3.2CL, the 2001 and 2002 MDX, the 1998 to 2003 3.5RL, and the 1999 to 2001 3.2TL.The front driver’s inflators being recalled are part of a recall announced by Takata in November covering at least 1.4 million vehicles from five automakers. Honda said it’s recalling a larger number of vehicles to make sure it gets all of the bad inflators.In this case, the inflators don’t contain ammonium nitrate, which is blamed for previous Takata problems that have killed 25 people and injured hundreds worldwide.But three of the newly recalled inflators exploded and hurled shrapnel, two in Japan and one in Texas that injured a driver, Honda said in a statement. The company said in all three cases, the inflators were exposed to excessive moisture. In Texas, the car had a salvage title with a date that coincided with a major flood, while the two cases in Japan were in salvage yards where the windows are typically left open, the company said.“Honda believes that the risk of improper air bag deployment in its vehicles remains very low at this time, but we cannot absolutely guarantee the performance of any recalled part,” the company said in a statement.Owners will be notified in mid-March, but replacement parts won’t be available for another year, Honda said.For the most up to date information surrounding recalls visit nhtsa.gov/recalls. For any additional questions, customer support is also available by calling the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331 or the Lexus Guest Experience Center at 1-800-255-3987.CORRECTED, 9:30 a.m. Wednesday to reflect correct customer support telephone number.

Air bag woes force Honda, Toyota to recall 6M vehicles

Online brokerage TD Ameritrade’s fiscal first-quarter profit fell 37% in the first full quarter with free commissions on most trades. 

The Omaha, Nebraska, based company said Tuesday it earned $379 million, or 70 cents per share, in the quarter. 

The company said one-time costs drug its earnings down 6 cents per share. 

The analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research expected earnings of 77 cents per share on average. 

TD Ameritrade agreed last fall to be bought by rival Charles Schwab in a $26 billion stock deal that is expected to close in the second half of this year.

Online brokerage TD Ameritrade’s fiscal first-quarter profit fell 37% in the first full quarter with free commissions on most trades. The Omaha, Nebraska, based company said Tuesday it earned $379 million, or 70 cents per share, in the quarter. The company said one-time costs drug its earnings down 6 cents per share. The analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research expected earnings of 77 cents per share on average. TD Ameritrade agreed last fall to be bought by rival Charles Schwab in a $26 billion stock deal that is expected to close in the second half of this year.

TD Ameritrade's profit falls 37% after cutting commissions

The U.S. has its first case of a new virus found last month in China, but health officials say they believe the overall risk to Americans is low. 

A Washington state resident who recently returned from a trip to central China has been diagnosed with the new virus. 

Health officials said Tuesday that the man returned to the Seattle area in the middle of last week after traveling to the Wuhan area, where the outbreak began. 

The man is in his 30s and is in good condition at a hospital in Everett, outside Seattle.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579661439404.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy: CDC" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy: CDC</figcaption>
 </figure>The U.S. has its first case of a new virus found last month in China, but health officials say they believe the overall risk to Americans is low. A Washington state resident who recently returned from a trip to central China has been diagnosed with the new virus. Health officials said Tuesday that the man returned to the Seattle area in the middle of last week after traveling to the Wuhan area, where the outbreak began. The man is in his 30s and is in good condition at a hospital in Everett, outside Seattle.&nbsp;

Washington man is 1st in US to catch new virus from China

OMAHA — Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol, with assistance from the Omaha Police Department, took four people into custody after a pursuit in Omaha overnight. During the pursuit, the suspect vehicle rammed a trooper’s cruiser.

At approximately 11:55 p.m. Monday, a trooper attempted a traffic stop on a Mazda 6 near the intersection of N 52nd&nbsp;Street and Grand Avenue. The vehicle had been reported stolen. The driver refused to stop and began traveling at a high rate of speed turning westbound on Hartman Avenue. The trooper initiated a pursuit.

The vehicle fled on various streets through the area until the trooper was able to perform a tactical vehicle intervention on Blair High Road near Crown Point Avenue. After the vehicle came to a stop, the driver attempted to flee again and rammed the trooper’s cruiser.

At that point, troopers and officers from OPD immediately took the driver and three passengers into custody. Troopers found what appeared to be a handgun on the floor of the vehicle. It was later determined to be a pellet gun.

The driver, Reginald Bell III, 19, of Omaha, was arrested for operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, theft by unlawful taking, firearm possession and transport, and first-degree assault on an officer. Bell was lodged in Douglas County Corrections.

Two of the three passengers were juveniles. The 17-year-old male and 16-year-old female had been reported missing from other states. Arrangements are being made for each. The third passenger was released. The entire pursuit lasted approximately six minutes.

OMAHA — Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol, with assistance from the Omaha Police Department, took four people into custody after a pursuit in Omaha overnight. During the pursuit, the suspect vehicle rammed a trooper’s cruiser.At approximately 11:55 p.m. Monday, a trooper attempted a traffic stop on a Mazda 6 near the intersection of N 52nd&nbsp;Street and Grand Avenue. The vehicle had been reported stolen. The driver refused to stop and began traveling at a high rate of speed turning westbound on Hartman Avenue. The trooper initiated a pursuit.The vehicle fled on various streets through the area until the trooper was able to perform a tactical vehicle intervention on Blair High Road near Crown Point Avenue. After the vehicle came to a stop, the driver attempted to flee again and rammed the trooper’s cruiser.At that point, troopers and officers from OPD immediately took the driver and three passengers into custody. Troopers found what appeared to be a handgun on the floor of the vehicle. It was later determined to be a pellet gun.The driver, Reginald Bell III, 19, of Omaha, was arrested for operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, theft by unlawful taking, firearm possession and transport, and first-degree assault on an officer. Bell was lodged in Douglas County Corrections.Two of the three passengers were juveniles. The 17-year-old male and 16-year-old female had been reported missing from other states. Arrangements are being made for each. The third passenger was released. The entire pursuit lasted approximately six minutes.

Suspect arrested after ramming NSP cruiser in pursuit

Authorities say a woman who fell off a bridge while stargazing has been transferred from a Lincoln hospital to one in Omaha. 

Lindsay Kroger, of rural Lincoln, had gone with five other people to the bridge about 2 miles southeast of Waverly to look at the sky early Sunday morning. 

Authorities say she leaned back, thinking there was a support piece behind her but instead fell 27 feet to the ice below. 

She was flown to a Lincoln hospital and then sent Monday to the Omaha facility.

Authorities say a woman who fell off a bridge while stargazing has been transferred from a Lincoln hospital to one in Omaha. Lindsay Kroger, of rural Lincoln, had gone with five other people to the bridge about 2 miles southeast of Waverly to look at the sky early Sunday morning. Authorities say she leaned back, thinking there was a support piece behind her but instead fell 27 feet to the ice below. She was flown to a Lincoln hospital and then sent Monday to the Omaha facility.

Stargazing woman who fell off bridge taken to a hospital

The nation's drug addiction crisis has been turning in a deadly new direction with more Americans struggling with meth and cocaine. 

Now the government will allow states to use federal money earmarked for the opioid crisis to help people addicted to those drugs as well. 

The change to a $1.5 billion opioid grants program was buried in a massive spending bill that Congress passed late last year. 

Lawmakers of both parties, as well as the Trump administration, backed the change. 

Though opioid overdoses kill more people nationally, meth is the deadliest drug in many states west of the Mississippi.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579621810922.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy: Matthew T Rader" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy: Matthew T Rader</figcaption>
 </figure>The nation's drug addiction crisis has been turning in a deadly new direction with more Americans struggling with meth and cocaine. Now the government will allow states to use federal money earmarked for the opioid crisis to help people addicted to those drugs as well. The change to a $1.5 billion opioid grants program was buried in a massive spending bill that Congress passed late last year. Lawmakers of both parties, as well as the Trump administration, backed the change. Though opioid overdoses kill more people nationally, meth is the deadliest drug in many states west of the Mississippi.

Feds allow use of opioid funds to stem meth, cocaine surge

The president of the Broken Bow City Council has taken over as mayor following the recall of his predecessor, who's awaiting a criminal trial. 

Rod Sonnichsen was sworn in Friday to replace Jonathon Berghorst, who voters removed from office last week.

 The recall petitions said Berghorst had created a hostile work environment for city employees and showed no respect for the employees or members of the city's volunteer boards. 

He denied the accusations. He's awaiting trial on allegations that he threatened the job of a police officer investigating a fight outside a bar for which the mayor also has been charged.&nbsp;

The president of the Broken Bow City Council has taken over as mayor following the recall of his predecessor, who's awaiting a criminal trial. Rod Sonnichsen was sworn in Friday to replace Jonathon Berghorst, who voters removed from office last week. The recall petitions said Berghorst had created a hostile work environment for city employees and showed no respect for the employees or members of the city's volunteer boards. He denied the accusations. He's awaiting trial on allegations that he threatened the job of a police officer investigating a fight outside a bar for which the mayor also has been charged.&nbsp;

Broken Bow council president takes over for recalled mayor

Authorities say an ice jam is causing minor flooding near Loup City in central Nebraska's Sherman County. 

The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory that is scheduled to expire Tuesday afternoon. 

The flooding is occurring in low-lying areas near the Nebraska Highway 10 bridge over the Middle Loup River south of Loup City and the Nebraska Highway 92 bridge just west of town. 

The service says the flooding is expected to continue until the jam breaks up, which could take several days.&nbsp;

Authorities say an ice jam is causing minor flooding near Loup City in central Nebraska's Sherman County. The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory that is scheduled to expire Tuesday afternoon. The flooding is occurring in low-lying areas near the Nebraska Highway 10 bridge over the Middle Loup River south of Loup City and the Nebraska Highway 92 bridge just west of town. The service says the flooding is expected to continue until the jam breaks up, which could take several days.&nbsp;

Ice jam causing minor flooding in central Nebraska

A Montana man told investigators that he cut off a grizzly bear's claws after shooting it in self-defense because he was mad that the bear was going to eat him. 

The Flathead Beacon reports 35-year-old Bryan Berg was fined $5,000 and sentenced to probation on Thursday after pleading guilty to illegal transport of grizzly bear claws. 

Prosecutors say Berg shot the bear in self-defense in Montana's Bob Marshall Wilderness in 2017. 

He cut off the claws and pushed the carcass over the side of a mountain.

 Berg told investigators he wanted to keep the claws as a memento.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579534551246.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy: Thomas Lipke" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy: Thomas Lipke</figcaption>
 </figure>A Montana man told investigators that he cut off a grizzly bear's claws after shooting it in self-defense because he was mad that the bear was going to eat him. The Flathead Beacon reports 35-year-old Bryan Berg was fined $5,000 and sentenced to probation on Thursday after pleading guilty to illegal transport of grizzly bear claws. Prosecutors say Berg shot the bear in self-defense in Montana's Bob Marshall Wilderness in 2017. He cut off the claws and pushed the carcass over the side of a mountain. Berg told investigators he wanted to keep the claws as a memento.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Man kills grizzly in self-defense, keeps claws as a memento

Rapid City's police chief says arrests for drugs, aggravated assaults, and vehicle thefts are the highest they've been since 2012. 

Chief Karl Jegeris noted that said drug arrests have more than doubled since 2012. 

The Rapid City Journal reported Sunday that police officers made 1,567 drug arrests in 2019, compared with 734 in 2012. 

Jegeris said the increase is due to the state's meth crisis and repeat offenders. 

Data also shows officers handled 389 aggravated assault cases last year, the highest since 2012. 

There were 344 vehicle theft cases in 2019, compared with 289 the year before and the most since 2012.&nbsp;

Rapid City's police chief says arrests for drugs, aggravated assaults, and vehicle thefts are the highest they've been since 2012. Chief Karl Jegeris noted that said drug arrests have more than doubled since 2012. The Rapid City Journal reported Sunday that police officers made 1,567 drug arrests in 2019, compared with 734 in 2012. Jegeris said the increase is due to the state's meth crisis and repeat offenders. Data also shows officers handled 389 aggravated assault cases last year, the highest since 2012. There were 344 vehicle theft cases in 2019, compared with 289 the year before and the most since 2012.&nbsp;

Rapid City police say crime, arrests double since 2012

A June hearing has been scheduled for a three-judge panel to consider whether a man's crime qualifies for the death penalty or whether he should be sentenced to life in a Nebraska prison. 

Aubrey Trail and his girlfriend, Bailey Boswell, were both charged in the 2017 slaying of Sydney Loofe. 

Boswell also is charged with first-degree murder and is awaiting trial in March. It's been moved to Lexington. 

The three judges will consider evidence to decide whether prosecutors can prove an aggravating factor necessary for capital punishment.&nbsp;

A June hearing has been scheduled for a three-judge panel to consider whether a man's crime qualifies for the death penalty or whether he should be sentenced to life in a Nebraska prison. Aubrey Trail and his girlfriend, Bailey Boswell, were both charged in the 2017 slaying of Sydney Loofe. Boswell also is charged with first-degree murder and is awaiting trial in March. It's been moved to Lexington. The three judges will consider evidence to decide whether prosecutors can prove an aggravating factor necessary for capital punishment.&nbsp;