Katie Schubert

The Salvation Army of Omaha plans to have three cooling centers open this weekend as temperatures soar in to the upper 90s.

Salvation Army officials announced Friday that the Kroc Center, North Corps, and Lied Renaissance Center will be open Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 5pm.

Those three locations will be open from 8am to 8pm as cooling centers Monday through Friday next week.

The National Weather Service expects a high temperature around 95 Saturday and 97 Sunday.

An economic analysis group says Nebraska lawmakers need to explore changes to the state’s tax policy.

The Open Sky Policy Institute released a report Thursday morning on Nebraska’s budget and tax policy. Executive Director Renee Fry says state government needs to look at reforming the tax code, as well as expanding what goods and services are taxed. 

Douglas County Commissioners want the Omaha City Council to reject tax increment financing for improvements in west Omaha.

Commissioners approved a resolution Tuesday opposing the TIF District proposed for an area around TD Ameritrade’s new Omaha headquarters.

Commissioner P.J. Morgan introduced the resolution, saying there should be more scrutiny of how TIF districts are used. 

Douglas County Commissioners have approved a $325 million 2012-13 budget.

The county’s new fiscal year began July first. The new fiscal year budget contains no tax increase and keeps the budgets of most offices flat.

Finance Director Joe Lorenz says it’s a responsible and aggressive spending plan, but achievable.

The county’s General Fund budget grew 2.1 percent compared to last fiscal year’s plan. Lorenz says cost increases in the Election Commission and Environmental Services offices increased, but it was offset by additional revenue.

The city of Omaha has announced the four finalists for Police Chief.

A nationwide search for Police Chief candidates was conducted following the retirement of Alex Hayes. Two finalists are from within the department. One is Captain Gregory Gonzalez. He’s Southwest Precinct Commander and an Acting Deputy Chief.

The other is Deputy Police Chief Todd Schmaderer, who oversees the Uniform Patrol Bureau operations and budget.

Douglas County voters will decide in November whether the Assessor and Register of Deeds offices should be consolidated.

County Commissioners voted 5-2 Tuesday in favor of a proposal to merge those offices. It’ll go on the November ballot for voters to decide.

AAA Nebraska says deaths from motorcycle crashes are up 71 percent through June.

Last year, 23 people died in motorcycle accidents in Nebraska. AAA Nebraska spokeswoman Rose White says 12 people have died in motorcycle accidents so far this year, up from seven at this time in 2011.

White says Nebraska’s mild winter is partially to blame.  "For the first time in the history of Nebraska, we recorded a fatality during the month of January. With many motorcyclists out now for the last six months, we’ve seen a substantial increase in fatalities."

Members of Omaha’s Fire Management Team will contribute more to the pension system and be on the city’s health care plan under a tentative agreement.

The Omaha City Council announced Friday that a tentative agreement was reached with the union representing the four-member Fire Management Team. It includes Chief Mike McDonnell and three Assistant Chiefs.

The Douglas County Board is scheduled to vote Tuesday morning on a $325 million 2012-13 budget.

The county’s new budget year began July first. The budget contains no property tax increase. It's a three-point-two percent larger overall budget than last year's.

Commissioners will also hold a public hearing on a plan to merge the Register of Deeds and Assessors’ offices.

The county board meets at 9am Tuesday.

The Omaha Convention and Visitors Bureau wants to hear what places are most popular with residents and tourists.

Through the end of this month, the CVB is accepting videos for what’s called the “Welcome to the Weekend” campaign. Spokeswoman Deb Ward says the goal is to get the community involved in promoting Omaha’s attractions.