Average retail gasoline prices in Nebraska have risen 11.4 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.82/g today.

Attorney General Jon Bruning today announced that an agreement has been reached with Toyota to provide free pickup and return of recalled cars, as well as free rental cars or taxi fare, for affected Nebraska car owners.

Gov. Dave Heineman was notified last week that his request for a federal disaster declaration for Nebraska was approved by President Barack Obama for winter storms in December and January. The current approval covers 34 of the 48 counties in the original request, including Otoe and surrounding counties. The 14 remaining counties are still under consideration.

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  Teresa Whitehead, 48, of Papillion announced her candidacy for Nebraska's District 14 Legislative seat, which covers the Papillion area and is currently held by Tim Gay.
   She was raised in Palmyra. Her husband, Bruce, is formerly of Syracuse.
Whitehead, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, currently serves as an analyst at U.S. Strategic Command.

The deadline for file for the May 11 primary passed on Monday.

Contested races are set for three seats on the Otoe County Board of Commissioners, Nebraska City school board, Syracuse school board and Palmyra school board.

Candidates may still seek election as write-ins.