02-26-10

 Law professors and medical experts differ on whether a bill outlawing abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy based on fetal pain would pass constitutional muster. During a Judiciary Committee public hearing Thursday, a law professor at The City University of New York says the bill bans all abortions at a fixed time in pregnancy before the fetus can survive outside the womb. She called it a slippery slope toward overturning Roe v. Wade, which established a woman's constitutional right to an abortion.

Gov. Dave Heineman says he's opposed to providing state-funded, prenatal care to pregnant, illegal immigrants. Heineman made the statement in a letter to the Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee. It held a hearing on a bill that would allow illegal immigrants to continue receiving care partially paid for by the state under a new program.

Nebraska will get help in covering expenses that stemmed from snowstorms that crippled much of the state in late December and early January. President Obama has granted disaster declarations in Nebraska and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts.

Another candidate has filed for an open position on the Norfolk City Council. Michele Sanchez of 514 Hastings Avenue has filed for the Ward 4 post currently held by Karl Reeder. Reeder did not file for re-election. The other candidate from the Fourth Ward is Todd Wolverton. Monday is the deadline for candidates to file to have their names included on the May Primary ballot.

About 50 Madison County residents traveled to Lincoln earlier this week to meet with state senators and agency heads about issues of importance to Northeast Nebraska. Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce President Dennis Houston says funding for Northeast Community College and wind energy legislation were two of the group's priorities.

The Cabin Fever Car Show is this weekend in the Ag Complex at Northeast Community College. Vintage cars, pickups and motorcycles will be on display Saturday from noon until 8 p.m. and Sunday from 10 until 4. The Norfolk Area Rod and Custom Association is sponsoring the show.

Apple's iTunes has sold its 10 billionth tune. Apple reports its online music store crossed the threshold Wednesday when Louie Sulcer, 71,  of Woodstock, Ga., bought "Guess Things Happen That Way" by Johnny Cash. iTunes had promoted the 10 billion mark and celebrated the milestone by giving Sulcer a $10,000 iTunes gift card. Introduced in 2003, iTunes became the top overall music retailer in the U.S. in 2008.