Sheriff's officials say a man who killed a person in a Rapid City apartment has been shot and killed by law enforcement after opening fire on officers. 

Authorities say officers were called to the apartment building about 5 p.m. Sunday on a report of shots fired. 

Pennington County Sheriff Kevin Thom says when officers arrived a man on the second floor of the building began shooting at them, striking one of their vehicles. 

Thom says officers entered the building and fatally shot the man, then found the victim in a second-floor apartment. 

Officials haven't said how many officers fired their weapons.&nbsp;

Sheriff's officials say a man who killed a person in a Rapid City apartment has been shot and killed by law enforcement after opening fire on officers. Authorities say officers were called to the apartment building about 5 p.m. Sunday on a report of shots fired. Pennington County Sheriff Kevin Thom says when officers arrived a man on the second floor of the building began shooting at them, striking one of their vehicles. Thom says officers entered the building and fatally shot the man, then found the victim in a second-floor apartment. Officials haven't said how many officers fired their weapons.&nbsp;

Rapid City gunman who killed 1 person fatally shot by law enforcement

The body of a missing Nebraska man was pulled from an icy Iowa pond on Saturday. 

Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker said the body of 39-year-old George McNamara was pulled from the water after a search Saturday. 

He had been reported missing from Bellevue, Nebraska, since Dec. 22. Officials said a car crash was reported Dec. 22 near the Mormon Bridge. Deputies found a vehicle but no driver that day. 

Authorities found McNamara's body on Saturday after a dive team searched a pond near the crash site. An autopsy is planned.

The body of a missing Nebraska man was pulled from an icy Iowa pond on Saturday. Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker said the body of 39-year-old George McNamara was pulled from the water after a search Saturday. He had been reported missing from Bellevue, Nebraska, since Dec. 22. Officials said a car crash was reported Dec. 22 near the Mormon Bridge. Deputies found a vehicle but no driver that day. Authorities found McNamara's body on Saturday after a dive team searched a pond near the crash site. An autopsy is planned.

Body of missing Nebraska man found in Iowa pond Saturday

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=dateline:%22WINSLOW,%20Neb.%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">WINSLOW, Neb.</a>&nbsp;(AP)-Following devastating floods last March, the tiny eastern Nebraska town of Winslow is debating whether to move 100 feet higher to a nearby hilltop or face being washed away in future floods.

It’s a choice more riverside communities may face as climate change increases flood risks. 

Since the creation of a buyout program in 1989, federal and local governments have poured more than $5 billion into buying tens of thousands of properties threatened by persistent flooding to avoid rebuilding. But instead of nearing completion, the buyout task seems to be growing, with more places in danger as heavier storms send river levels and tides higher.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1577629475603.png" alt="Google Maps" />
 <figcaption>Google Maps</figcaption>
 </figure>By MARGERY A. BECK&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=dateline:%22WINSLOW,%20Neb.%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">WINSLOW, Neb.</a>&nbsp;(AP)-Following devastating floods last March, the tiny eastern Nebraska town of Winslow is debating whether to move 100 feet higher to a nearby hilltop or face being washed away in future floods. It’s a choice more riverside communities may face as climate change increases flood risks. Since the creation of a buyout program in 1989, federal and local governments have poured more than $5 billion into buying tens of thousands of properties threatened by persistent flooding to avoid rebuilding. But instead of nearing completion, the buyout task seems to be growing, with more places in danger as heavier storms send river levels and tides higher.

Nebraska town’s grim choice: can it pick up and move?

AURORA, Colo. (AP)-Authorities say police have arrested a suspect in a mall shooting that killed a 17-year-old boy in a Denver suburb. 

he capture of 18-year-old Kamyl Xavier Garrette was announced the day after the Friday shooting inside a J.C. Penney store at the Town Center at Aurora mall. 

The gunfire sent shoppers fleeing for safety and led police to order people to shelter in place until they determined there was no active shooter. 

It's the second shooting this month at the mall, which is in the same city where a gunman opened fire in a movie theater in 2012, killing 12 people and injuring dozens more.

AURORA, Colo. (AP)-Authorities say police have arrested a suspect in a mall shooting that killed a 17-year-old boy in a Denver suburb. he capture of 18-year-old Kamyl Xavier Garrette was announced the day after the Friday shooting inside a J.C. Penney store at the Town Center at Aurora mall. The gunfire sent shoppers fleeing for safety and led police to order people to shelter in place until they determined there was no active shooter. It's the second shooting this month at the mall, which is in the same city where a gunman opened fire in a movie theater in 2012, killing 12 people and injuring dozens more.

Arrest made in fatal Colorado mall shooting

WASHINGTON (AP) —Anyone under 21 can no longer legally buy cigarettes, cigars or any other tobacco products in the U.S.

The new law enacted last week by Congress also applies to electronic cigarettes and vaping products that heat a liquid containing nicotine.

The provision raising the legal limit from 18 to 21 nationwide was in a massive spending bill passed by Congress and signed by the president on Dec. 20. About one-third of states already had their own laws restricting tobacco sales to people 21 and older.

"This is a major step in protecting the next generation of children from becoming addicted to tobacco products," new FDA commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn tweeted last week.

Usually, new legislation doesn't take effect right away. The change simply increased the age limit in existing law, so it was able to go into effect immediately, a spokesman for the Food and Drug Administration said Friday.

The agency has regulated tobacco products since 2009. It enforces the law partly through spot checks. Stores can be fined or barred from selling tobacco for repeat violations.

Anti-smoking advocates said the higher age limit should make it more difficult for young people to get tobacco, particularly high school students who had friends or classmates over 18 buy for them.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/10/1571740768708.png" alt="CREDIT CREATIVE COMMONS-PIXABAY" />
 <figcaption>CREDIT CREATIVE COMMONS-PIXABAY</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —Anyone under 21 can no longer legally buy cigarettes, cigars or any other tobacco products in the U.S.The new law enacted last week by Congress also applies to electronic cigarettes and vaping products that heat a liquid containing nicotine.The provision raising the legal limit from 18 to 21 nationwide was in a massive spending bill passed by Congress and signed by the president on Dec. 20. About one-third of states already had their own laws restricting tobacco sales to people 21 and older."This is a major step in protecting the next generation of children from becoming addicted to tobacco products," new FDA commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn tweeted last week.Usually, new legislation doesn't take effect right away. The change simply increased the age limit in existing law, so it was able to go into effect immediately, a spokesman for the Food and Drug Administration said Friday.The agency has regulated tobacco products since 2009. It enforces the law partly through spot checks. Stores can be fined or barred from selling tobacco for repeat violations.Anti-smoking advocates said the higher age limit should make it more difficult for young people to get tobacco, particularly high school students who had friends or classmates over 18 buy for them.___

Age limit now 21 across US for cigarettes, tobacco products

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=dateline:%22ORLANDO,%20Fla.%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">ORLANDO, Fla.</a>&nbsp;(AP)-Disney World employees who portray Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Donald Duck have filed incident reports with police, claiming they were inappropriately touched by tourists.

This follows the arrest of a man in November who was accused of groping a Disney princess. The employee in the Mickey Mouse costume was taken to the hospital with a neck strain on Dec, 4 after a grandmother patted the character's head. She told investigators she didn't believe the woman intentionally hurt her. 

Another tourist was accused of groping Minnie Mouse, and a woman in her 60s reached in Donald Duck's costume and groped an employee's chest.

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=dateline:%22ORLANDO,%20Fla.%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">ORLANDO, Fla.</a>&nbsp;(AP)-Disney World employees who portray Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Donald Duck have filed incident reports with police, claiming they were inappropriately touched by tourists. This follows the arrest of a man in November who was accused of groping a Disney princess. The employee in the Mickey Mouse costume was taken to the hospital with a neck strain on Dec, 4 after a grandmother patted the character's head. She told investigators she didn't believe the woman intentionally hurt her. Another tourist was accused of groping Minnie Mouse, and a woman in her 60s reached in Donald Duck's costume and groped an employee's chest.

Disney characters say tourists inappropriately touched them

By MIKE STOBBE-Associated Press&nbsp;&nbsp;

NEW YORK (AP)-This year, some once-waning germs roared back in the United States. Leading the list were measles and hepatitis A. 

There was also a small uptick in cases of a rare but deadly disease that's spread by mosquito bites. 

Some of the same increases were seen globally. 

In the U.S., some infectious diseases did trend downward, including West Nile virus. 

While health officials are optimistic 2020 will see a decline in infectious threats, they worry that climate change, opposition to vaccines and other challenges are setting the stage for future problems.

By MIKE STOBBE-Associated Press&nbsp;&nbsp;NEW YORK (AP)-This year, some once-waning germs roared back in the United States. Leading the list were measles and hepatitis A. There was also a small uptick in cases of a rare but deadly disease that's spread by mosquito bites. Some of the same increases were seen globally. In the U.S., some infectious diseases did trend downward, including West Nile virus. While health officials are optimistic 2020 will see a decline in infectious threats, they worry that climate change, opposition to vaccines and other challenges are setting the stage for future problems.

'Tough year' for measles and other infectious diseases in US

A 44-year-old woman has been given three years of probation for making counterfeit money.

The York News-Times reported that Stacy Morgan, a transient, was sentenced Monday. She'd pleaded no contest to forgery after making a deal with prosecutors, who dropped a drug charge.

She was arrested in August by officers investigating a report of a man trying to pass counterfeit money at a York store. 

The man was a truck driver, and he told officers he'd gotten the money from a woman he was with: Morgan.

A search of the man's truck turned up drugs and nearly $2,300 in counterfeit bills.&nbsp;

A 44-year-old woman has been given three years of probation for making counterfeit money.The York News-Times reported that Stacy Morgan, a transient, was sentenced Monday. She'd pleaded no contest to forgery after making a deal with prosecutors, who dropped a drug charge.She was arrested in August by officers investigating a report of a man trying to pass counterfeit money at a York store. The man was a truck driver, and he told officers he'd gotten the money from a woman he was with: Morgan.A search of the man's truck turned up drugs and nearly $2,300 in counterfeit bills.&nbsp;

Woman accused of making counterfeit money gets probation

A south-central Nebraska man accused of killing his infant son has taken a plea deal. 

Kearney County District Court records say 25-year-old Christopher Preston pleaded no contest last week to negligent child abuse resulting in death. 

Prosecutors lowered the charge in return for Preston's plea, court records say. His sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 26.

 Investigators have said 6-week-old Zackary Preston was discovered Oct. 1 last year unresponsive in a bed at his home in Wilcox. 

Court records detailing the incident are sealed.

A south-central Nebraska man accused of killing his infant son has taken a plea deal. Kearney County District Court records say 25-year-old Christopher Preston pleaded no contest last week to negligent child abuse resulting in death. Prosecutors lowered the charge in return for Preston's plea, court records say. His sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 26. Investigators have said 6-week-old Zackary Preston was discovered Oct. 1 last year unresponsive in a bed at his home in Wilcox. Court records detailing the incident are sealed.

Man accused of killing 6-week-old son takes plea deal

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP)-An Omaha man will face attempted murder charges after allegedly firing shots at an Iowa State Patrol trooper in Sioux City, Iowa. 

The incident happened Thursday morning when a trooper pulled over a vehicle and found a 27-year-old passenger had a warrant for his arrest. 

The man resisted arrest and as they struggled, the trooper used a stun gun. The man ran away and during a chase he allegedly fired two shots at the pursuing trooper. The shots missed. 

After a search, officers found and arrested the man. The state patrol says it's unclear what charges the man will face but that one will be attempted murder. 

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP)-An Omaha man will face attempted murder charges after allegedly firing shots at an Iowa State Patrol trooper in Sioux City, Iowa. The incident happened Thursday morning when a trooper pulled over a vehicle and found a 27-year-old passenger had a warrant for his arrest. The man resisted arrest and as they struggled, the trooper used a stun gun. The man ran away and during a chase he allegedly fired two shots at the pursuing trooper. The shots missed. After a search, officers found and arrested the man. The state patrol says it's unclear what charges the man will face but that one will be attempted murder. The driver wasn't arrested.

Iowa patrol: Omaha man fired shots while fleeing trooper

OMAHA — A fatal crash that occurred on Sunday, December 15, near Greenwood, has claimed a fourth life. On Wednesday, December 25, Alexis Pascual Bernabe, 4, of Lincoln, passed away as a result of injuries suffered in the crash.

The crash occurred at approximately 11:10 a.m., Sunday, December 15, when a Chevrolet Trailblazer lost control in slick conditions while traveling eastbound on Interstate 80 near mile marker 422. The vehicle then struck an eastbound Mini Cooper, entered the median, rolled, and entered the westbound lanes of traffic. It was then struck by a westbound Honda Odyssey.

Two passengers in the Trailblazer, Domingo Pascual Velasquez, 19, of Lincoln, and Erica Rafael, 15, of Lincoln, were pronounced deceased at the scene. A third passenger, Heidy Diaz, 10, of Lincoln, was transported to the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha where she passed away later in the day.

Four-year-old Alexis Pascual Bernabe was transported to the Nebraska Medical Center before being taken to Children’s Hospital and Medical Center in critical condition. Alexis passed away Wednesday.

The driver, Carlos Bernabe Escobar, 29, and front seat passenger, Carmelina Pascual Bernabe, 28, both of Lincoln, were transported to Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha with non-life-threatening conditions. Six occupants of the Honda Odyssey, all from Minnesota, were transported to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.

Preliminary investigation determined that none of the occupants of the Trailblazer were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. All occupants of other vehicles were wearing seat belts. The investigation remains ongoing.

OMAHA — A fatal crash that occurred on Sunday, December 15, near Greenwood, has claimed a fourth life. On Wednesday, December 25, Alexis Pascual Bernabe, 4, of Lincoln, passed away as a result of injuries suffered in the crash.The crash occurred at approximately 11:10 a.m., Sunday, December 15, when a Chevrolet Trailblazer lost control in slick conditions while traveling eastbound on Interstate 80 near mile marker 422. The vehicle then struck an eastbound Mini Cooper, entered the median, rolled, and entered the westbound lanes of traffic. It was then struck by a westbound Honda Odyssey.Two passengers in the Trailblazer, Domingo Pascual Velasquez, 19, of Lincoln, and Erica Rafael, 15, of Lincoln, were pronounced deceased at the scene. A third passenger, Heidy Diaz, 10, of Lincoln, was transported to the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha where she passed away later in the day.Four-year-old Alexis Pascual Bernabe was transported to the Nebraska Medical Center before being taken to Children’s Hospital and Medical Center in critical condition. Alexis passed away Wednesday.The driver, Carlos Bernabe Escobar, 29, and front seat passenger, Carmelina Pascual Bernabe, 28, both of Lincoln, were transported to Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha with non-life-threatening conditions. Six occupants of the Honda Odyssey, all from Minnesota, were transported to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.Preliminary investigation determined that none of the occupants of the Trailblazer were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. All occupants of other vehicles were wearing seat belts. The investigation remains ongoing.

I-80 crash claims fourth life

Nebraska authorities say a driver headed east in the westbound lanes of U.S. Highway 30 was fatally injured when his vehicle struck an oncoming vehicle. 

The collision occurred around 6:40 Tuesday morning, about 2 miles east of Lexington. 

Authorities say the 20-year-old driver was pronounced dead at a Lexington hospital. 

The 50-year-old driver of the other vehicle was treated for minor injuries. A third vehicle involved sustained minor damage. 

It's not clear whether its driver was injured. 

The names of those involved haven't been released. The accident is being investigated.

Nebraska authorities say a driver headed east in the westbound lanes of U.S. Highway 30 was fatally injured when his vehicle struck an oncoming vehicle. The collision occurred around 6:40 Tuesday morning, about 2 miles east of Lexington. Authorities say the 20-year-old driver was pronounced dead at a Lexington hospital. The 50-year-old driver of the other vehicle was treated for minor injuries. A third vehicle involved sustained minor damage. It's not clear whether its driver was injured. The names of those involved haven't been released. The accident is being investigated.

Wrong-way driver died after highway collision

Court documents show that a man accused in a homicide on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation shot the victim in the back of the head after telling people about his desire to kill someone. 

Twenty-six-year-old Colton Bagola is charged with second degree murder in the death of 30-year-old Sloane Bull Bear. 

Bagola was arrested Friday in Rapid City after a brief standoff with law enforcement. 

The Rapid City Journal reports that the affidavit cites witnesses who said they heard Bagola tell people he was “wanting to kill somebody” and he “needed to take a soul."

Court documents show that a man accused in a homicide on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation shot the victim in the back of the head after telling people about his desire to kill someone. Twenty-six-year-old Colton Bagola is charged with second degree murder in the death of 30-year-old Sloane Bull Bear. Bagola was arrested Friday in Rapid City after a brief standoff with law enforcement. The Rapid City Journal reports that the affidavit cites witnesses who said they heard Bagola tell people he was “wanting to kill somebody” and he “needed to take a soul."

Pine Ridge homicide victim shot in back of head

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - A driver died in the crash of his sport utility vehicle early Tuesday morning in north Omaha, police said.

Officers dispatched to the crash site a little before 2:40 a.m. found the wrecked SUV in the roadway.

It appeared the driver had overcorrected to the right after his westbound SUV struck the median, police said in a news release. The SUV then struck a retaining wall and came to rest back on the traffic lanes.

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Police identified him as Michael Parker Sr., 47, who lived in Omaha.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - A driver died in the crash of his sport utility vehicle early Tuesday morning in north Omaha, police said.Officers dispatched to the crash site a little before 2:40 a.m. found the wrecked SUV in the roadway.It appeared the driver had overcorrected to the right after his westbound SUV struck the median, police said in a news release. The SUV then struck a retaining wall and came to rest back on the traffic lanes.The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Police identified him as Michael Parker Sr., 47, who lived in Omaha.

Police say SUV driver died in north Omaha crash

COLUMBUS, Neb. (AP)-A star that once shown brightly at the top of a Nebraska courthouse was re-lit Thursday after maintenance crews found the star and refurbished it. 

The star had remained off until a few days ago, when someone found it collecting dirt, sleet, snow, rain and ice on the roof after years of neglect. 

The courthouse's lead maintenance worker began work to make the star viable again. Platte County Emergency Manager Tim Hofbauer says re-lighting the star seemed like a good idea.

COLUMBUS, Neb. (AP)-A star that once shown brightly at the top of a Nebraska courthouse was re-lit Thursday after maintenance crews found the star and refurbished it. The star had remained off until a few days ago, when someone found it collecting dirt, sleet, snow, rain and ice on the roof after years of neglect. The courthouse's lead maintenance worker began work to make the star viable again. Platte County Emergency Manager Tim Hofbauer says re-lighting the star seemed like a good idea.

Christmas star re-lit at Nebraska courthouse after years off

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=dateline:%22BEATRICE,%20Neb.%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">BEATRICE, Neb.</a>&nbsp;(AP)-A city attorney under suspension in southeast Nebraska's Beatrice has resigned.

Beatrice City Administrator Tobias Tempelmeyer says Abigail Stark left her post last week. He's handling her duties until a replacement is found. 

Stark had been suspended with pay since Dec. 9. City officials have declined to say publicly what led to her suspension. Tempelmeyer has said it was a personnel matter. 

She'd held the position since April 2018.&nbsp;

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=dateline:%22BEATRICE,%20Neb.%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">BEATRICE, Neb.</a>&nbsp;(AP)-A city attorney under suspension in southeast Nebraska's Beatrice has resigned. Beatrice City Administrator Tobias Tempelmeyer says Abigail Stark left her post last week. He's handling her duties until a replacement is found. Stark had been suspended with pay since Dec. 9. City officials have declined to say publicly what led to her suspension. Tempelmeyer has said it was a personnel matter. She'd held the position since April 2018.&nbsp;

City attorney who'd been under suspension has resigned

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP)-Authorities have released the name of a man killed in a construction accident at a downtown Lincoln parking garage. 

He was identified as 47-year-old Rocael Lopez-Lopez, who lived in Crete. 

The accident happened Friday afternoon on the top floor of the Que Place garage, which is being used as a staging area for a condominium-office project being built next to the garage. 

Authorities say Lopez-Lopez was assembling a metal form for a wall when the form fell on him.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP)-Authorities have released the name of a man killed in a construction accident at a downtown Lincoln parking garage. He was identified as 47-year-old Rocael Lopez-Lopez, who lived in Crete. The accident happened Friday afternoon on the top floor of the Que Place garage, which is being used as a staging area for a condominium-office project being built next to the garage. Authorities say Lopez-Lopez was assembling a metal form for a wall when the form fell on him.

Authorities ID man killed in Lincoln construction accident

A man already sentenced to prison for having sex with his adult daughter has taken a plea deal on the same charge in a different Nebraska county. 

Court records show Travis Fieldgrove pleaded no contest Wednesday in Adams County to attempted incest. 

Prosecutors reduced the charge from incest. Records say he made a similar deal in neighboring Hall County and was sentenced in May to two years in prison. 

Fieldgrove and his daughter married in Adams County in October 2018. Authorities say the couple had a father-daughter relationship until September last year, when it turned sexual.&nbsp;

A man already sentenced to prison for having sex with his adult daughter has taken a plea deal on the same charge in a different Nebraska county. Court records show Travis Fieldgrove pleaded no contest Wednesday in Adams County to attempted incest. Prosecutors reduced the charge from incest. Records say he made a similar deal in neighboring Hall County and was sentenced in May to two years in prison. Fieldgrove and his daughter married in Adams County in October 2018. Authorities say the couple had a father-daughter relationship until September last year, when it turned sexual.&nbsp;

Man imprisoned for having sex with adult daughter takes deal

A judge has sentenced a Wyoming man to at least 48 years in prison after he sexually abused two adults and a 15-year-old girl. 

KTWO-AM reported Thursday that 27-year-old Trae Derik Smith was sentenced Thursday after he pleaded guilty to abuse by sexual touching of a brain-injured vulnerable adult and sexual assault of a developmentally-disabled adult. 

Officials say Smith also entered an Alford plea to sexual abuse of a minor.

 An Alford plea allows a defendant to plead guilty without admitting a criminal act. 

Authorities say the Casper Police Department began investigating the case in January after the 15-year-old girl told her mother Smith had raped her.

A judge has sentenced a Wyoming man to at least 48 years in prison after he sexually abused two adults and a 15-year-old girl. KTWO-AM reported Thursday that 27-year-old Trae Derik Smith was sentenced Thursday after he pleaded guilty to abuse by sexual touching of a brain-injured vulnerable adult and sexual assault of a developmentally-disabled adult. Officials say Smith also entered an Alford plea to sexual abuse of a minor. An Alford plea allows a defendant to plead guilty without admitting a criminal act. Authorities say the Casper Police Department began investigating the case in January after the 15-year-old girl told her mother Smith had raped her.

Wyoming man gets 48 years for raping 2 adults, 1 minor

A new survey of bankers indicates a waning economy in rural parts of 10 Plains and Western states, and weak farm income is hurting producers' ability to borrow money from banks. 

The Rural Mainstreet survey shows its overall index fell to to 50.2 this month from 54.2 in November. Any score above 50 suggests a growing economy, while a score below 50 indicates a shrinking economy. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey and says federal agriculture crop support payments and somewhat higher grain prices kept the overall index from falling into negative territory. 

Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming were surveyed.

A new survey of bankers indicates a waning economy in rural parts of 10 Plains and Western states, and weak farm income is hurting producers' ability to borrow money from banks. The Rural Mainstreet survey shows its overall index fell to to 50.2 this month from 54.2 in November. Any score above 50 suggests a growing economy, while a score below 50 indicates a shrinking economy. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey and says federal agriculture crop support payments and somewhat higher grain prices kept the overall index from falling into negative territory. Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming were surveyed.

Survey of Plains, Western bankers shows waning rural economy

Nebraska prison officials have canceled Christmas Eve visits to the Nebraska State Penitentiary in an effort to combat a prison system flu outbreak. 

The corrections department says nearly four dozen flu cases have been confirmed and a higher number are suspected at five prison facilities. 

The penitentiary in Lincoln has the highest number of confirmed and suspected cases.

 The department is taking several steps to help stop the outbreak, including providing face masks for staffers and inmates and encouraging inmates to get flu shots.

Nebraska prison officials have canceled Christmas Eve visits to the Nebraska State Penitentiary in an effort to combat a prison system flu outbreak. The corrections department says nearly four dozen flu cases have been confirmed and a higher number are suspected at five prison facilities. The penitentiary in Lincoln has the highest number of confirmed and suspected cases. The department is taking several steps to help stop the outbreak, including providing face masks for staffers and inmates and encouraging inmates to get flu shots.

Prison's Christmas Eve visits canceled due to flu outbreak

A former teacher accused of stealing from a show choir he directed in south-central Nebraska has been given five years of probation and some jail time. 

David Sackschewsky was sentenced Thursday in Grand Island and ordered to pay $150,000 restitution. 

Court records say the sentencing includes 90 days in jail immediately, with credit for four days already served. 

Authorities say he stole nearly $208,000 from the 14 Karat Gold Show Choir at Northwest High School in Grand Island. He'd been a teacher at Northwest until he resigned in April after being on medical leave since a vehicular accident last fall.

A former teacher accused of stealing from a show choir he directed in south-central Nebraska has been given five years of probation and some jail time. David Sackschewsky was sentenced Thursday in Grand Island and ordered to pay $150,000 restitution. Court records say the sentencing includes 90 days in jail immediately, with credit for four days already served. Authorities say he stole nearly $208,000 from the 14 Karat Gold Show Choir at Northwest High School in Grand Island. He'd been a teacher at Northwest until he resigned in April after being on medical leave since a vehicular accident last fall.

Ex-teacher accused of theft from choir gets probation, jail

WICHITA, KAN. -&nbsp;A Kansas man pleaded guilty Tuesday to federal charges of sexually exploiting minors, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.

Austin Ballew, 21, Cherryvale, Kan., pleaded guilty to five counts of sexually exploiting a child and three counts of sex trafficking of a minor. In his plea, Ballew admitted he used Facebook to pose as an African-American teenager or young man to communicate with minor females in southeast Kansas towns. An investigation began when a victim's parents contacted the Independence (Kansas) Police Department. Investigators learned that Ballew, calling himself Deandre Johnson, was soliciting other minor females for sex acts and child pornography.

Ballew offered victims money and marijuana to send him sexually explicit videos of themselves. He also threatened victims that he would make their videos public unless they kept cooperating with him. Sentencing is set for March 23.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576620689232.png" alt="Austin Ballew" />
 <figcaption>Austin Ballew</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, KAN. -&nbsp;A Kansas man pleaded guilty Tuesday to federal charges of sexually exploiting minors, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.Austin Ballew, 21, Cherryvale, Kan., pleaded guilty to five counts of sexually exploiting a child and three counts of sex trafficking of a minor. In his plea, Ballew admitted he used Facebook to pose as an African-American teenager or young man to communicate with minor females in southeast Kansas towns. An investigation began when a victim's parents contacted the Independence (Kansas) Police Department. Investigators learned that Ballew, calling himself Deandre Johnson, was soliciting other minor females for sex acts and child pornography.Ballew offered victims money and marijuana to send him sexually explicit videos of themselves. He also threatened victims that he would make their videos public unless they kept cooperating with him. Sentencing is set for March 23.

Kan. man admits using Facebook to lure girls for sex acts, child porn

South Dakota voters will decide on legalizing medicinal marijuana in November next year after a petition to put the measure on the November ballot was validated by the state. 

Secretary of State Steve Barnett announced on Thursday that the petition had enough valid signatures to be put on the ballot for the General Election in November. 

The measure would allow patients with chronic or debilitating health conditions to use and possess up to three ounces of marijuana. 

They would need to get a registration card from the state's Department of Health.

South Dakota voters will decide on legalizing medicinal marijuana in November next year after a petition to put the measure on the November ballot was validated by the state. Secretary of State Steve Barnett announced on Thursday that the petition had enough valid signatures to be put on the ballot for the General Election in November. The measure would allow patients with chronic or debilitating health conditions to use and possess up to three ounces of marijuana. They would need to get a registration card from the state's Department of Health.

South Dakota ballot will include medical marijuana measure

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=dateline:%22LINCOLN,%20Neb.%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">LINCOLN, Neb.</a>&nbsp;(AP)-Officials have awarded a $352 million contract to an Omaha company to build a freeway that will connect two highway on the south side of Lincoln.

The Nebraska Department of Transportation says the Lincoln South Beltway project is the largest ever undertaken by the agency. When completed in spring 2023, the four-lane east-west freeway will stretch for 11 miles, connecting U.S. Highway 77 with Nebraska Highway 2. 

The contract was awarded Friday to Hawkins Construction. Work is expected to begin in the spring. Officials have been seeking the project for decades as a way to speed travel and lessen congestion on Highway 2 through Lincoln.

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=dateline:%22LINCOLN,%20Neb.%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">LINCOLN, Neb.</a>&nbsp;(AP)-Officials have awarded a $352 million contract to an Omaha company to build a freeway that will connect two highway on the south side of Lincoln. The Nebraska Department of Transportation says the Lincoln South Beltway project is the largest ever undertaken by the agency. When completed in spring 2023, the four-lane east-west freeway will stretch for 11 miles, connecting U.S. Highway 77 with Nebraska Highway 2. The contract was awarded Friday to Hawkins Construction. Work is expected to begin in the spring. Officials have been seeking the project for decades as a way to speed travel and lessen congestion on Highway 2 through Lincoln.