Business

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Federal regulators have given Nebraska's two biggest utilities more time to evaluate flooding hazards at their two nuclear power plants.

The Small Business Administration says loans to small businesses in Nebraska are up almost 13 percent from last year.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A newly released report says Nebraska's preliminary unemployment rate dropped to 3.5 percent in June.

A Washington-based tech entrepreneur says startup businesses are changing the landscape in the Middle East and other emerging markets.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Supporters of a higher minimum wage have collected nearly 135,000 signatures to place the issue on the November ballot, well beyond the minimum required.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A monthly economic index for nine Midwestern and Plains states has inched up again, suggesting more economic growth over the next three to six months.

A report issued Tuesday says the overall Mid-America Business Conditions Index rose to 60.6 in June from 60.5 in May, hitting another three-year high.

Looking six months ahead, the business confidence portion of the overall index rose to 63.6 from 62.5 in May.

Nebraska gets a B+ when it comes to an overall climate of friendliness for small businesses.

Omaha’s Capitol District project is underway.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Omaha Public Power District board has decided to phase out coal to generate electrical power at its Omaha plant.

Negotiations between the city and northeast Omaha landowners for a 68-acre site are on hold.