Stories from Thursday, April 23, 2015

This year, the average American family of four will pay more than $11,402 in federal income taxes according to the Internal Revenue Service. Nebraskans with taxable income in excess of $58,000 (married, filing jointly) will pay a state income tax rate of 6.84 percent. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Mid Plains Community College governors approved a rehab sciences / athletic trainer position Wednesday in a meeting in McCook. Officials hoped creation of the position now would give time to advertise and find a quality candidate in time for the fall 2015 term...

McCOOK, Neb. -- State senators advanced legislation Tuesday to repeal the death penalty in Nebraska and at least one official thinks the bill faces an uphill battle before becoming law. The bill, LB 268, advanced out of select file with 30 votes in favor, 13 against and six either abstaining or absent. District 44 Sen. Dan Hughes was among the 13 opponents to the legislation and said this morning Gov. Pete Ricketts had indicated he would veto the legislation...

McCOOK, Neb, -- Election officials are mailing out ballots for the upcoming special election today, asking for renewal and increased spending flexibility pertaining to the city's local option sales tax. Residents should begin receiving them early next week, according to Red Willow County Clerk's Office, and will have until 5 p.m. on May 12 to return them to the clerk's office...

McCook, Nebraska, Public School and St. Patrick's Elementary third and fourth graders plant two Princeton elms, one Kentucky coffee tree and one Shademaster locust tree Wednesday afternoon at Felling Field. Nebraska Public Power District hosted the tree-planting, its only such ceremony in the state this Arbor Day. ...

"I want that red velvet I want that sugar sweet Don't let nobody touch it Unless that somebody's me" It's a catchy tune on the radio, but if Maroon 5's weakness was really about sucrose, they'd be setting themselves for a whole range of illnesses. In fact, according to the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the sugar and carbohydrates that are staples of the modern diet are doing us more harm than physical inactivity, alcohol and smoking combined...