Stories from Wednesday, February 2, 2011

February 2, 2011 - Nebraska's Senator Ben Nelson made these comments today on his weekly conference call with members of the Nebraska media concerning the health reform law: "There's a lot of talk these days in Congress about the health reform law and some votes today. I will vote to remove the IRS 1099 provision because it imposes a needless burden on small businesses and we need to fix that as soon as possible," said Senator Nelson...

IMPERIAL, Nebraska -- The Upper Republican Natural Resources District unanimously voted to approve a multi-million dollar augmentation and irrigated land retirement project. The project involves purchasing 3,300 irrigated acres north of Parks, Nebraska in Dundy County with 24 center-pivot systems north of Rock Creek State Fish Hatchery for $10 million. The project also includes building a 10-mile pipeline to Rock Creek, for use only during water short years...

Lawmakers and safety officials have taken aim at distracted driving in the form of talking and texting on cell phones, but it's good to hear some of the same technology will now be used to improve safety. Drivers have always communicated with each other in various ways -- horns, turn signals and tail lights for example, plus other ways that are not so friendly -- but this time it will be the cars that do the talking...

The 1st Regular Session, of the 102nd Legislature has started. The 2011 Session is a 90-day session, or "long" session, that began on Jan. 5 and is scheduled to end June 8. We have already finished 17 legislative days and introduced 698 bills, but I would like to take time in this week's letter to talk about Legislative Bill 229...

It is widely believed that everyone has an inborn talent, although some remain well hidden for many years. My brothers are both musicians, semi-professionally during their younger years, but it was hard for them to make enough to keep body and soul together, especially as their families grew...

Today, this very minute, thousands of brilliant scientists are working around the clock to develop new sources of renewable energy that will solve our economic, political, military and all sorts of other problems. For the last year or two, tons of corn have been piling up south of the railroads tracks...

Steve Kodad/McCook Daily Gazette McCook High School senior Derek Chancellor will join the University of South Dakota football program next fall. Chancellor signed a letter of intent to play football for the NCAA Division I Coyotes in ceremonies Wednesday, Feb. ...