Nebraska Update

A survey of manufacturing supply-chain managers in the Midwest found that economic growth slowed in the month of May. Creighton economics professor Ernie Goss, who leads the Mid-America Business Conditions Index, said high inflation and fewer exports are resulting in lower growth in the manufacturing industry.

The human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a sexually transmitted, cancer-causing infection that can be largely prevented by a series of vaccinations in children. Nebraska Public Media’s Kassidy Arena reports the state does well in starting that series, but not as well in completing it.

At 82 years old, Rick Hubbard is hitting the highways of America to raise awareness of political dysfunction.

A Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court judge ruled a former Papillion firefighter is entitled to compensation for mental injury. Nebraska Public Media’s Sarah Lawlor has more.

Dead Timber State Recreation Area is set to receive more than a half million dollars for a redevelopment project. The park north of Scribner received a $589,000 grant from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.

In 2019, major flooding altered the Platte River near its junction with Highway 75, creating a large sandbar and restricting the channel size to a third of what it had been previously. Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District general manager John Winkler says the sandbar makes communities like Louisville and Cedar Creek, which are upstream, more susceptible to additional flooding.

Gov. Jim Pillen said Friday that if legal costs get too high, he would abandon the Perkins County Canal proposal.

Long-term care residents and their families in Red Cloud, Nebraska, breathed a sigh or relief this spring, when the local nursing home was saved from closure. The Heritage of Red Cloud was scheduled to close on April 18. But a local hospital and its foundation decided to acquire the facility thanks to some large community donations.

HOST: Almost a year after the first phase of renovations at the Lincoln Airport were completed, the second phase is wrapping up. Nebraska Public Media’s Sarah Lawlor has more. 053024 THU Airport Renovations WRAP.wav: (39.9 s)Lincoln Airport officials opened the doors to the public on Thursday afternoon so travelers could have a chance to see the new additions. Renovations include two new bag belts and new locations for customer service and rental car desks. Rachel Barth is the director of air service development and strategic marketing. She says the new renovations should make for a more streamlined process for travelers. BARTH:(7 s) I think when people see the project now finished, they’re gonna really think, ‘Wow, this was really well thought out and methodical.’ LAWLOR: Now that the second phase of renovations is finished, Barth says airport officials are shifting their focus to the runway. I’m Sarah Lawlor, Nebraska Public Media news.

The competition includes an obstacle course where snowplow drivers swerve through cones, make sharp turns and back up into tight spaces, all while competing against the clock. Competitors also take a written test and perform snowplow inspections where they must find vehicle defects.