News for Thursday, December 16, 2010

5 most memorable Jack Nicholson performances

The thoroughly underwhelming romantic comedy “How Do You Know” in no way makes the best use of its starry cast — not Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd or Owen Wilson, and most certainly not Jack Nicholson.

Flo Rida talks music, preps female rapper protege

Flo Rida has sold millions when it comes to hit singles, but his albums have yet to get that kind of love from music fans.

The year in retweets: Oil spill and Justin Bieber

So many people love Justin Bieber. They love him so much, that this year Twitter changed the way it counts its most tweeted-about topics to effectively exclude him.

Kidman weeps in ‘Rabbit Hole,’ revels in home life

Nicole Kidman is giving audiences grief with her latest drama, “Rabbit Hole,” playing a disconsolate woman coping with the death of her child.

Capitol pump room serves moms

In the basement of the Capitol, behind a heavy frosted glass door secured by an electronic combination lock, is a 12- by 10-foot room where many of Congress’ new mothers go to take care of business.

Book Review: ‘Young Mandela’ tells of his early career

“Young Mandela: The Revolutionary Years” (Little, Brown, $27.99), by David James Smith

Nearly half a century ago, a South African judge pronounced a life sentence against Nelson Mandela for planning guerrilla war against the racist state. Mandela had expected hanging and, with his co-defendants, decided in advance not to appeal.

Officials urge caution during holidays

Missouri fire officials are urging people to be careful with candles and Christmas trees around the holidays.

Mo. drops suit after veterans agency is repaid

Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster is dropping a civil suit against a former state accountant

Players offer ‘Lilies of the Field’

It starts with a New Testament Bible verse: “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.”

Ex-sheriff’s deputy guilty in plot with ex-wife

A Jasper County jury has recommended that a former sheriff’s deputy be sentenced to nine years in prison for conspiring to kill an ex-girlfriend.

Applications sought for Small Business Academy

The deadline to apply for the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce and University of Missouri Extension’s Small Business and Technology Development Center’s Small Business Academy is Jan. 14.

China, India appeal for deeper ties, not tensions

The leaders of India and China called Thursday for a stronger partnership, a huge increase in trade and even the creation of an emergency hotline as they stressed a spirit of cooperation — not competition — between Asia’s two rising powers.

Teen pleads guilty in fatal chase

A St. Louis teenager will be sentenced Jan. 7 after pleading guilty to second-degree murder for killing an innocent motorist while leading a police chase.

Nixon: no prison closings; school aid questionable

Gov. also plans to run for second term

Government to auction Gieseker property

The U.S. Marshals Service will auction two grain farms and three other pieces of property forfeited by the north-central Missouri woman who pleaded guilty last year in what has been called the largest agricultural fraud case ever in Missouri.

Your Opinion: Don’t undermine credit of U.S.

I readily understand Mark Bruenger’s concern for the integrity of the two and one-half trillion dollars of paper IOUs held by the Social Security system and agree he should question everything.

Our Opinion: Emphasize fire safety during winter

Residential fires proliferate during winter holidays. Anecdotal reports suggest it, and the state fire marshal’s office confirms it.

Father accused of abandoning child at KC bus stop

Kansas City police say a man abandoned his young son at a bus stop in freezing weather for a purported trip to California.

Woman finds wedding ring in new glove

A St. Louis County woman is hoping to find the owner of a set of wedding rings that she found when she slipped on a new glove.

Webster University gets $1 million gift

A suburban St. Louis-based university is getting a $1 million gift.

Nixon wants better oversight of doctors

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Gov. Jay Nixon wants to strengthen the state board responsible for protecting patients from doctors.

Jefferson City could lose cross country championships

For the first time in the event’s history, the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) is accepting requests for proposal (RFP) for the right to host the state cross country meet. The meet has been hosted at the Oak Hills Golf Center since 1976, when it moved from A.L. Gustin Golf Course in Columbia.

Lady Jays, Helias ready for annual showdown

The Jefferson City Lady Jays learned a valuable lesson heading into tonight’s game against the Helias Lady Crusaders.

Inmate who fled Iowa hospital on lam for 18 hours

A jail inmate with a history of fleeing custody escaped from an Iowa City hospital and eluded authorities during a more than 18-hour crime spree that police say included multiple carjackings and subsequent crashes.

Feds sue BP, other companies for oil spill damages

A powerful plaintiff has joined the hundreds of people and businesses suing BP and other companies involved in the Gulf oil spill: the Justice Department.

CAMPO will give Holts Summit funds for sidewalks

All paths might not lead to North Elementary School, but more of them will soon.

Portland Community Center moves closer to construction

PORTLAND, Mo. — Fundraising efforts for building the new Portland Community Center got a boost Wednesday when Ameren Missouri donated $1,000 toward its construction.

Former St. Louis detective sentenced for tow scam

A former St. Louis detective was sentenced Wednesday to more than two years in prison for taking bribes as part of a scandal involving towed vehicles.

Jefferson City tops Helias in dual showdown

It wouldn’t be a Jays-Crusaders wrestling dual without it coming down to the final match.

Teen shot after basketball game altercation dies

A 19-year-old St. Louis man has died, two days after he was shot in an altercation after a high school basketball game.

Breakdowns cost Lincoln men in loss

For every punch the Lincoln Blue Tigers threw Wednesday night, the Central Missouri Mules had a better counterpunch.

Lincoln women lose to Central Missouri

The Lincoln women’s basketball team has the defensive part of the game down. Now, if Santa could just deliver some offense for Christmas, that would be a welcome addition.

State expects drop in workers’ comp premiums

Missouri insurance officials are recommending a reduction in the premiums paid by employers for workers’ compensation coverage.

Preservation panel suggests priorities for 2011

Jefferson City's Historic Preservation Commission has suggested a set of priorities for 2011, based on its recently developed Preservation Plan.

Assessor appointed to Missouri Tax Commission

Gov. Jay Nixon has appointed the longtime assessor of one of Missouri’s biggest counties to the State Tax Commission.

Authorities begin DWI crackdown today

Starting today, Jefferson City police and law enforcement officers nationwide will be cracking down on drunken driving with increased enforcement through Jan. 3 as part of the Drunk Driving, Over the Limit, Under Arrest, National Crackdown.

Mizzou suspends Dixon

The Missouri Tigers were dealt a serious blow even before playing tonight’s contest against Oral Roberts at Mizzou Arena.

Barr, Hoge fill 2 DESE assistant commissioner jobs

Stephen Barr was named Tuesday as Missouri’s newest assistant commissioner in the state Elementary and Secondary Education department’s Office of Special Education.

Daisy troop meets adopted soldier

FULTON, Mo. — Earning patches is a big part of being a Girl Scout. That begins early with Daisy Troops — the youngest of troops usually aged in preschool or kindergarten — so Fulton troop leader Phyllis Garnett went online to find a patch her daisies might be interested in doing.

Emanuel’s Chicago residency hearing enters 3rd day

Attorneys for former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel are focused on showing that he always planned to come back to Chicago after he finished working for President Barack Obama.

House votes again to lift restrictions on gays

The Senate will get one last chance to dismantle the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy before going home for the year.

GM repays additional $2.1 billion

WASHINGTON (AP) — The government has received another $2.1 billion in repayments from General Motors Co.

Cassel's status still uncertain for Chiefs

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel was back on the practice field Wednesday, but whether he will start Sunday against the Rams remained uncertain.

Japan Cabinet approves corporate tax cut

Japan’s Cabinet on Thursday approved cutting the corporate tax by 5 percentage points in a bid to spur the country’s sluggish economy.

Nov. shopping surge spurs higher holiday outlook

NEW YORK (AP) — A bigger-than-expected surge in holiday spending in November led a prominent research firm to raise its forecast for the season for the second time in a matter of weeks.

Iraq: Bomb plot revealed

Iraqi authorities have obtained confessions from captured insurgents who claim al-Qaida is planning suicide attacks in the United States and Europe during the Christmas season, two senior officials said Wednesday.

Incoming House leaders question tax credit numbers

Some of the Republicans who expect to lead the state House of Representatives next year have challenged Gov. Jay Nixon’s 2011 budget proposal, even before the Democratic governor has made it.

Ex-St. Louis detective sentenced in towing scandal

ST. LOUIS (AP) — A former St. Louis detective was sentenced Wednesday to more than two years in prison for taking bribes as part of a scandal involving towed vehicles.

Missouri signs Richardson

Sheldon Richardson has changed his mind again, signing a letter of intent to play at Missouri.

Obama says he shares mission with business leaders

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama and 20 business leaders worked through lunch Wednesday on ways to boost anemic U.S. job creation and improve their own testy relations amid rising anxiety over the slow economic recovery.

Lidstrom has 3 goals and an assist for Red Wings

Nicklas Lidstrom crossed off about the only thing left on his NHL to-do list. The star defenseman scored three goals for his first career hat trick and added an assist to help the Detroit Red Wings beat the St. Louis Blues 5-2 on Wednesday night.

Wednesday's NBA Capsules

Paul Pierce made a tiebreaking jumper with 0.4 seconds left, Amare Stoudemire’s 3-pointer at the buzzer was ruled too late, and the Boston Celtics pulled out a thrilling 118-116 victory over the New York Knicks on Wednesday night for their 11th straight win.

Wednesday's Top 25 Men's College Basketball Capsules

Jon Diebler matched an Ohio State record with nine 3-pointers, scoring a career-high 29 points and leading the second-ranked Buckeyes past Florida Gulf Coast 83-55 on Wednesday night.

Wednesday's NHL Capsules

Erik Christensen and Alex Frolov scored 15 seconds apart to spark a four-goal third period, and the New York Rangers rallied for a 4-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night.

Bravard scores 14 to lift No. 15 FSU over UCF

Cierra Bravard had 14 points and 10 rebounds, and No. 15 Florida State cruised to a 69-51 win over Central Florida on Wednesday night.

Maine, NJ links probed in case of NY beach bodies

The mother of a missing Maine woman last seen working as an escort in New York submitted a DNA sample Wednesday to authorities trying to determine the identities of four women whose bodies were found dumped on a deserted beach highway on Long Island.

Bowers leads Missouri over Oral Roberts

On Monday afternoon before practice, Missouri coach Mike Anderson showed his team the video of its last-second defeat at Oral Roberts last season after which the fans rushed the court.

Auditor says Willard can’t pay for new pool

State Auditor Susan Montee says a southwest Missouri town’s financial records are so unorganized that she can’t be sure if all its money was spent correctly.

Jefferson City, Helias, Blair Oaks among area school closings for Dec. 16, 2010

Here are school closings and weather-related changes posted Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010.

New Study Shows Soy Protein Lowers Non-HDL Cholesterol Significantly

Press Release

Soy protein’s ability to lower total and LDL (low-density lipoprotein or “the bad”) cholesterol has been extensively studied, but the mechanism whereby soy protein lowers cholesterol remains unresolved.

Fire destroys Latham school

An early morning fire left the Latham R-V School devastated and the community in shock.

Florida shooter's wife says husband 'misunderstood'

The wife of the man who held a Florida school board at gunpoint said Wednesday that her husband was a gentle giant who was pushed over the edge by the economy and frustrated over her losing her teaching job.