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Hello! Here’s a look at how AP’s general news coverage is shaping up in Nebraska. Questions about coverage plans are welcome, and should be directed to the Omaha Bureau at 402-391-0031 or omahane@ap.org. Nebraska News Editor Scott McFetridge can also be reached at 515-243-3281 or smcfetridge@ap.org.

A reminder this information is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change. Expected stories may not develop, or late-breaking and more newsworthy events may take precedence. Advisories and digests will keep you up to date. All times are Central.

Some TV and radio stations will receive shorter APNewsNow versions of the stories below, along with all updates.

AROUND THE STATE:

NEBRASKA CAPITOL FOCUS

LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska lawmakers are making an aggressive push this year to prevent prescription opioid abuse, a problem that plagues much of the country and accounts for a large number of the state’s overdose deaths. Senators have introduced four bills designed to reduce opioid deaths and prevent the situation from becoming as serious in Nebraska as in other, harder-hit states. By Grant Schulte. SENT: 700 words

CASE BACKLOG-VIDEO DELAYS

LINCOLN, Neb. — A surge in video surveillance that’s helped the Lincoln Police Department make arrests has also created a case backlog. Chief Jeff Bliemeister told the Lincoln Journal Star that almost 1,200 videos were referred to the department’s forensic analysts last year, a sharp jump compared to the nearly 240 videos in 2009. The unit processes the footage to help detective identify suspects. It had a backlog of nearly 290 cases as of Jan. 16.SENT: 250 words

IN BRIEF:

— SEXUAL MISCONDUCT-FUNERAL HOME — A jury has found a Kearney man liable for groping a woman at the funeral home where they both worked in 2015 and awarded her $10,000.

— SCIENCE CAFE — The University of Nebraska State Museum’s Science Cafe is moving to a new location in Lincoln for its series of free events.

— LAND MANAGEMENT APP — A new app from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln could help with land management efforts.

EXCHANGES:

EXCHANGE-JAIL APARTMENTS

HASTINGS, Neb. —Beginning next year a Nebraska county sheriff will no longer live in an apartment inside the county courthouse. The Adams County Board of Supervisors has changed the rules since Gregg Magee, who has been the county’s sheriff for 35 years, won’t be running for re-election. Adams is the last county in Nebraska that required its sheriff to live at the county jail. By Jeff Bahr, The Grand Island Independent. SENT IN ADVANCE: 732 words.

EXCHANGE-DULCIMER MAKER

YORK, Neb. — There isn’t much Rod Matlock hasn’t dabbled in within the walls of his shop. From cabinets to an airplane, and now his most recent venture, dulcimers, Matlock is not afraid to dive into any kind of wood working project. Matlock designs all of his projects on AutoCAD, which he taught himself how to use. To begin, he drew up the dulcimer project on his computer, and then he dove into building it. By Steph Peyatt, York News-Times. SENT IN ADVANCE: 670 words.

SPORTS:

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