News for Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Mo. auditor wants to review large state agencies

Missouri auditor Tom Schweich said Wednesday that he wants to compare the practices of several state agencies to find ways to make them more efficient.

Legislature endorses limits on hog farm suits

Legislation limiting lawsuits against large-scale animal farms got a double-endorsement Wednesday from Missouri lawmakers who expressed concerns that repeated suits over foul odors could lead some hog producers to leave the state.

Freezing rain causes 31-vehicle wreck in St. Louis

ST. LOUIS (AP) — A perfect storm of freezing rain at morning rush hour on Wednesday caused numerous wrecks around the St. Louis area, including one 31-vehicle pileup near downtown.

Soria wants no part of ‘The Mexicutioner’ anymore

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — There is a long and storied history to baseball nicknames, from Ted Williams (the Splendid Splinter) to Randy Johnson (the Big Unit) to Babe Ruth (the Sultan of Swat).

Cardinals’ 20-game winner Wainwright injures elbow

St. Louis Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright is getting a second opinion on his injured right elbow, which the team fears will require reconstructive surgery.

Earthquake toll at 76 dead, 238 missing

The sister and brother sat huddled Wednesday on sodden grass, staring at the smoldering remains of an office tower that collapsed with their mother inside.

Gadhafi hold whittled away as Libya revolt spreads

BENGHAZI, Libya (AP) — The scope of Moammar Gadhafi’s control was whittled away Wednesday as major Libyan cities and towns closer to the capital fell to the rebellion against his rule. In the east, now all but broken away, the opposition vowed to “liberate” Tripoli, where the Libyan leader is holed up with a force of militiamen roaming the streets and tanks guarding the outskirts.

Pirates add ammo, men to ships after 4 US deaths

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Pirates in Somalia said Wednesday they are ferrying ammunition and men to the 30 hijacked vessels still under their control, and they threatened to kill more captives following the violent end to a hostage standoff that left four Americans dead.

Adele’s sophomore disc mines shattered love

Adele’s ex-boyfriend may not be aware of it, but he’s joined an illustrious club of people who were inadvertent inspirations for art.

Strawberry genome may lead to cheaper berries

Farmers have long struggled with getting ripe strawberries to market in good shape, but scientists say the recent mapping of the wild strawberry’s genome may help them produce berries that are cheaper and easier to grow and arrive in stores in peak condition.

Gov’t drops defense of anti-gay marriage law

Comes as Americans seem to be more tolerant of unions

You never forget your first time — at the Oscars

The Academy Awards are Hollywood’s grandest pageant, and no matter how celebrated one’s stardom, a trip to the Oscars is unforgettable. Especially the first one.

Mo. Congress members call for tax, spending cuts

Both of Missouri’s U.S. senators and one of its representatives told business leaders that the government must cut taxes and spending to help stimulate the economy.

Our Opinion: Politics featured prominently in photo IDs for voters

Picture a scenario where political considerations do not distort debate on requiring voters to show photo identification. That scenario does not now exist.

Mo. governor touts proposed tax incentive changes

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon says the state should combine three of its job training programs to improve efficiency.

Your Opinion: Panel's discourtesy shocks lt. gov.

I was shocked at the Missouri Housing Development Commission meeting last Friday by the treatment of Sen. Kurt Schaefer, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Your Opinion: Auditor required to provide estimate

Missouri statutes established the office of the state auditor as an auditing and advisory agency, with no power of enforcement.

Mo. House wants details of gov. travel put online

The Missouri House voted Wednesday to require information about the governor’s travel to be posted on a state website, emphasizing lawmakers’ concern about how Gov. Jay Nixon has used state planes.

Avs end 10-game skid with 4-3 win over Blues

Erik Johnson said he would make the St. Louis Blues regret trading him to Colorado. It took him just three days to back up those words.

Your Opinion: Don't vilify Prop. B supporters

Why is it that opponents of Proposition B continually try to vilify its supporters?

Your Opinion: Make rate hike debate transparent

During a recent KRCG newscast the veil came off, at least for my eyes, from those opposed to the law to let Ameren collect costs upfront for environmental and safety permits for the second nuclear power reactor.

NYC museum creates 9/11 timeline

Flight attendant Betty Ong couldn’t tell exactly what was happening in the cockpit of American Airlines Flight 11, but it was clear to her that there was trouble.

Mo. House panel backs tax proposal on party vote

A House committee has voted along partisan lines to advance a proposal eliminating Missouri’s income taxes and replacing it with a higher sales tax.

Mo. lawmaker injured in traffic accident returns

Happened During Last Month's Big Storm

Freezing rain causes many St. Louis-area wrecks

A perfect storm of freezing rain and rush hour traffic surprised drivers in the St. Louis area, causing numerous accidents, including involving about 20 vehicles.

Forest Whitaker fights crime on ’Suspect Behavior’

Forest Whitaker is one terrific actor. “Constantly, constantly,” he says in his disarming, feathery voice. “I like to continue to explore.”

State seeks financing for police radios

Missouri is seeking to borrow money to finish work on a long-awaited upgrade to the state’s emergency responder radio system that was supposed was to be paid for with an influx federal stimulus funds.

Blue Tigers open softball slate with more pitching, deeper roster

This is definitely not last season for the Lincoln softball team, and the Blue Tigers only need to look at two places to see the difference — the pitching circle and the dugout.

Panel asked to block automatic state worker union fees

State employees shouldn’t be required to pay union fees without their permission, state Sen. Jason Crowell told a Senate committee Tuesday.

Senators hear pitch to change ‘discrimination’ law

Missouri’s business community says the courts have changed years of legal tradition in discrimination cases, and lawmakers must restore the order that existed until about five years ago.

Contractor plans to develop land near hospital site

Missouri 179 is quickly becoming the place to build in Jefferson City.

Free event for sleep sufferers

St. Mary’s Sleep Center is helping people get a better night sleep by providing a free community sleep event.

Humane Society gets custody of confiscated dogs

The Humane Society of Missouri has been awarded custody of 74 dogs removed from a licensed breeder in southwest Missouri.

Democratic state Rep. Curls wins Mo. Senate seat

Democratic state Rep. Kiki Curls has won a state Senate seat.

Missouri House panel advances nuclear plant bill

A Missouri House committee endorsed legislation Tuesday that would allow utilities to charge electric customers for some costs of developing a second nuclear power plant.

SKorea: Deutsche Bank units behind market plunge

South Korea’s financial regulators say units of Germany’s Deutsche Bank AG engaged in price manipulation and unfair trading that led to a sudden plunge in Seoul’s benchmark stock index last year.

Jays defeat Sedalia Smith-Cotton

It’s not a common sight at this time of year, but it’s a welcome one.

Lady Jays, Hickman to meet for third time

The Jefferson City Lady Jays figure they owe the Hickman Kewpies one. Or two.

Lady Crusaders move into district title game after downing Lady Mustangs

The Eldon Lady Mustangs have frustrated opponents all season with a stifling zone defense. And the Helias Lady Crusaders have had their problems against zones this season. But not Tuesday night.

Helias to open district tournament tonight

So far, things have gone according to plan for the Helias boys basketball team.

Falcons’ winning streak reaches 16

The Blair Oaks Falcons’ winning streak reached 16 games Tuesday night with a thrashing of California.

Libyan unrest weighs on stocks, oil up further

The turmoil in Libya heaped further pressure on stocks around the world Wednesday as investors worry that the global economic recovery may be derailed by the sharp rise in oil prices and swelling inflation.

Lady Falcons handle Lady Hornets

After falling 55-49 in a hard-fought game at home against California, the Blair Oaks Lady Falcons hosted St. Elizabeth Tuesday night and nearly let the Lady Hornets slip past them.

Missouri to host Baylor in key Big 12 contest

The Missouri Tigers have the Baylor Bears right where they want them — at Mizzou Arena.

New Bloomfield schools save about $80K in bond refinancing

The New Bloomfield school board has agreed to refinance a $600,000 general obligation bond at a lower interest rate, saving the district about $80,000 in interest during the life of the bond.

Lincoln to host Truman State in MIAA doubleheader

It’s now a two-game season for the Lincoln men’s basketball team, as the Blue Tigers have just two shots left at breaking into the win column in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.

Emanuel faces big money woes as next Chicago mayor

Former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel won’t have much time to celebrate his victory as Chicago’s new mayor.

Wisconsin lawmakers take up collective bargaining bill

With their Senate colleagues still in hiding, Democrats in the Wisconsin Assembly began introducing a barrage of 100 amendments Tuesday to try to stymie the Republican governor’s plan to strip unionized public employees of most of their bargaining rights.

Shipper Moller-Maersk returns to full-year profit

Danish container shipping and oil group A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S said Wednesday it returned to a profit last year, citing a recovery in world trade flows and higher oil prices.

Boys Basketball: Linn gets by Eugene

Thanks to a triple-double by Anthony Senevey, the Linn Wildcats notched a win over the Eugene Eagles on Tuesday.

Boys Basketball: Calvary downs St. Albans

The Calvary Lutheran Lions used an 18-1 scored edge in the fourth quarter to beat the Fulton School at St. Albans on Tuesday.

Boys Basketball: Russellville defeats St. Elizabeth

The Russellville Indians outscored the St. Elizabeth Hornets 20-11 in the final quarter to pull out a win Tuesday night.

Boys Basketball: Fatima slips past Chamois

The Fatima Comets won a back-and-forth affair with Chamois on Tuesday, squeaking out a win.

Indiana Democrats flee to Illinois, block labor bill

Indiana House Democrats who fled to Illinois like their counterparts in the Wisconsin Senate say they’ll continue their boycott until Republicans assure them they won’t debate public education and anti-union measures the Democrats oppose.

Girls Basketball: Fatima handles Chamois

The Fatima Lady Comets clinched the Show-Me Conference championship with a win over Chamois on Tuesday.

Youth Wrestling: Jays Kids Club

The Jays Kids Club had 50 members place Saturday in the Owensville Tournament.

‘Secret shopper’ program for VA centers

A new program seeks to improve the care and customer service at VA health care facilities in Missouri.

Reid proposes 30-day bill to avert shutdown

The top Democrat in the Senate said Tuesday that he’ll bring legislation to the floor next week to keep the government running at current spending levels for 30 days to avoid a shutdown in March.

Garth Brooks, Leon Russell among inductees to hall

Garth Brooks is being immortalized for his songwriting skills. The country superstar is one of five acts to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame on June 16.

‘Fan cut’ of Bieber documentary to be released

A “fan cut” of the documentary “Justin Bieber: Never Say Never” will be released Friday.

Differing views of CA official: Crook or victim?

The diminutive, heavyset man was the mastermind of a scam, prosecutors say, that bilked one of Southern California’s poorest cities out of more than $5.5 million, money with which he lined his pockets and those of a handful of cronies.

Hundreds missing after New Zealand quake

Some screamed from inside collapsed buildings. One woman used her mobile phone to call her children to say goodbye. Others tapped on the rubble to communicate with those on the outside.

Gadhafi's vow: Will fight to 'last drop of blood'

A defiant Moammar Gadhafi vowed to fight to his “last drop of blood” and roared at supporters to strike back against Libyan protesters to defend his embattled regime Tuesday, signaling an escalation of the crackdown that has thrown the capital into scenes of mayhem, wild shooting and bodies in the streets.

News for Wednesday, February 23, 2011

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