Newshound: 8/6/2009

Headlines:

- Budget showdown
- Hate mongers file flag-law appeal
- Nebraska smoking ban challenged

More after the jump...

Budget showdown
Two weeks after Mayor Jim Suttle presented his budget to city council, council members are proposing to axe the mayor's major tax provisions. Democratic Councilman Pete Festersen said he plans to kill Suttle's proposed property tax increase because the city can still find more savings.

Ted Turner to speak in Fremont
Media mogul and philanthropist Ted Turner will speak at Midlands Lutheran College's convocation ceremony later this month. Turner is the founder of CNN and

Turner is the largest private land owner in the United States with more than 2 million acres to his name. He also owns around 425,200 acres in Nebraska, making him the largest private property owner in the state.

Hate mongers file flag-law appeal
Known for protesting military funerals with signs like “God Hates Fags” and “Thank God For IED's,” members of the Westboro Baptist Church are now protesting in Nebraska court. Shirley Phelps-Roper, 51, filed another appeal in Sarpy County Court questioning the constitutionality of Nebraska's flag desecration statute. Her attorney, Bassel El-Kasaby, told the Omaha World-Herald he hopes to bypass the state court of appeals and take the case to the Nebraska Supreme Court.

Phelps-Roper and other members of the Kansas-based church were charged with desecrating a flag near a military funeral in Bellevue. She was also charged with negligent child abuse.


Nebraska smoking ban challenged
A Lancaster County Court judge heard arguments challenging Nebraska's smoking ban, but made no immediate ruling. District Court Judge Jodi Nelson decided she would hear the case brought by Big John's Billiards. The Omaha pool hall argues the ban is arbitrary and violates the state constitution.

Bank robber arrested
Michael Hymes was arrested in Council Bluffs on Aug. 5 for allegedly robbing the First National Bank near S 24th and Oak. Hymes, 29, will be charged in Federal court.