Posted: 1:00 PM A wet spring continues to soak soil across much of the Midwest, causing the prolonged drought to retreat ever so slowly westward.

Posted: 12:49 PM Lawmakers have rejected an attempt to add $7.5 million in yearly funding to Nebraska's property tax credit program.

Posted: 9:19 AM A 28-year-old York man has been given three years of probation for using a stolen gas credit card.

Posted: 5:51 AM Despite wet weather in April, the amount of water flowing into the Missouri River remains below normal because of slow runoff and the ongoing drought.

Posted: 5:48 AM Organizers say the 2013 Nebraska Law Enforcement Memorial Day ceremony will be held at the Nebraska Law Enforcement Memorial in Grand Island.

Posted: 5:45 AM An Iowa man who illegally made and sold fireworks and explosive devices has been sentenced to 46 months in prison.

Posted: 5:42 AM Many Republican leaders are pushing their party to accept a more welcoming U.S. immigration policy, arguing that it will make the GOP more appealing to Hispanic voters whose numbers are growing rapidly.

Posted: 4:49 AM Despite wet weather in April, the amount of water flowing into the Missouri River remains below normal because of slow runoff and the ongoing drought. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said Wednesday that the cold weather reduced the amount of runoff from snowmelt in the past month.

Updated: 5:26 AM The Omaha Police Department is conducting training this week for newly appointed gang unit officers. Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer says the class will focus on gang identification and investigations, situational tactical training and narcotics investigations. There also will be a strong emphasis on community relations and community outreach.

Updated: 4:05 AM The California agency overseeing national health care reforms was granted sweeping authority to conceal spending on contractors that will perform most of its functions. The degree of secrecy the Legislature gave Covered California appears unique among states attempting to establish their own health insurance exchanges under President Barack Obama's health law.

Posted: 11:10 PM The head of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency says that the Obama administration has discussed declassifying key data on U.S. missile defense in order to provide it to Russia. The administration has been exploring how to ease Russian concerns that the U.S. missile defense shield is aimed at countering Russia's nuclear arsenal.

Updated: 11:03 PM Gov. Dave Heineman has honored 15 Nebraska high school seniors who garnered perfect scores on the ACT or SAT college admissions exams. Heineman traveled to Omaha's Central High School on Wednesday for the ceremony, and was joined by Nebraska Education

Updated: 10:40 PM An eastern Nebraska woman has been sentenced to a year in federal prison for Social Security fraud. U.S. Attorney for Nebraska Deb Gilg says 35-year-old Kimberly Butinski, of Valley, was sentenced Wednesday and ordered to pay restitution of nearly $40,000.

Posted: 10:27 PM The Wyoming State Engineer's Office expects more calls on water rights in the North Platte River drainage in the months ahead despite recent heavy snowfall in the river headwaters. Hydrologists continue to forecast less water storage than the amount needed for irrigation.

Updated: 10:38 PM Beginning Monday, May 13, Cornhusker Highway will close from east of 70th Street to about one-half mile west of 84th Street. The closure is needed for repair work to the pavement leading up to the bridges over Burlington Northern Sante Fe railroad and Cotner Boulevard.

Posted: 8:37 PM Kearney High School is one of only five Nebraska schools to receive the honor.

Posted: 11:55 AM Former Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy has reimbursed the state $500 for thousands of calls to four women on his state-issued cellphone.

Updated: 9:41 PM A $12-million redevelopment project in downtown Grand Island consisting of a full service historic luxury boutique hotel was announced Wednesday.

Updated: 9:27 AM A 44-year-old Creston man has been given 30 to 36 months in prison for physically abusing two of his girlfriend's children. Larry Einspahr Jr. last week was given credit for 150 days already served.

Posted: 6:49 AM A June sentencing date has been set for a businessman convicted of embezzling money that was supposed to go to employees' pension funds and insurance premiums.

Posted: 6:46 AM Work has begun on a street in Beatrice as part of an effort to revitalize the city's downtown.

Posted: 4:02 PM Jury trial has been set in the case of a man who accuses Creighton University in a lawsuit of discriminating against him because he is deaf.

Posted: 3:54 PM The Nebraska State Board of Education has suspended the certificates of two teachers who tried to hide how a student with a peanut allergy tasted a peanut butter sandwich.

Posted: 6:46 AM An August trial has been scheduled for a 26-year-old man charged with child abuse in the death of a 2-year-old Gering girl.

Posted: 6:42 AM Nebraska officials are warning about an unauthorized website that might be intended to collect confidential information.