GRAND ISLAND — The Platte River Recovery Implementation Program is halfway to a first 13-year increment goal of protecting 10,000 acres of habitat for threatened and endangered birds.

98 Years Ago — 1911

Last week I hosted town hall meetings in Grand Island, Lexington, Kearney and Lincoln, where I outlined my principles for health care reform and heard feedback from Nebraskans on the latest proposals in Congress.

Tanner Bassett of Republican City was the first to make a trip on the Nebraska State Patrol’s Seat Belt Convincer at the Harlan County Courthouse as students from Alma High School’s government class learned about seat belts and child restraint systems from Nebraska State Patrol Trooper Jon Sanko and Harlan County Sheriff Chris Becker this week.

The Nebraska Legislature has been meeting for much of the last three weeks to consider budget cuts to bring the two-year budget in line with declining revenues from state income and sales taxes. The Appropriations Committee, of which I am a member, met daily beginning Nov. 2 to discuss the budget shortfall, conduct hearings to receive input from more than 70 state agencies, and consider budget cuts for each of the agencies.

Joseph Hall’s “Tribute to Elvis” 7:30 p.m. Nov. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Minden Opera House at 322 E. Fifth St. in Minden. 308-832-0588; www.mindenoperahouse.com. Tickets are $15.

ORD — Forty-one of 200 applications to the Lower Loup Natural Resources District to add certified irrigated acres to farming operations were approved Thursday by the LLNRD board.

KEARNEY — Films at the World Theatre will not be the mainstream blockbusters shown at other Kearney theaters.

“Twilight” series enthusiasts fill the lobby to buy tickets and concessions after standing in line for the midnight showing of “The Twilight Saga: New Moon,” the second installment of the series Thursday night at the Kearney Cinema 8 Theaters in Kearney.

KEARNEY — For many students at Kearney High School, a new security measure became a fashion statement.