The severe, yearlong drought that continues in Nebraska has been voted the top news story of 2012 by newspaper and broadcast members of The Associated Press. Finishing #2 in the survey were the wildfires that blackened hundreds of thousands of acres in north-central and northwest Nebraska.

Included in the top 10 list were three stories about the U.S. Senate race won by State Senator Deb Fischer over former Senator Bob Kerrey. Fischer’s victory in the general election was #3, her primary win #6, and Kerrey’s decision to enter the race #7.

The Keystone XL oil pipeline was ranked #4, followed at #5 by Tom Osborne’s retirement a week from tomorrow as athletic director at the University of Nebraska. Osborne will become athletic director emeritus and stay involved in department operations through July 30.

Rounding out the top 10 were the hostage drama at Thiele’s Pharmacy in Alliance, the veto override of a bill that restored prenatal care coverage to the children of illegal immigrants, and coverage of the so-called “pink slime” beef  product produced in South Sioux City and at other plants.