News for Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Fear over debt fight spooks investors

Anxiety about a deadline to raise the nation’s debt ceiling swept across Wall Street on Wednesday and drove the Dow Jones industrial average down almost 200 points. With Washington showing no sign it will find a solution, financial planners around the country said their clients were increasingly worried.

Fed survey: Growth slows across much of US

WASHINGTON (AP) — The economy worsened in much of the country earlier this summer, hampered by high unemployment, weak home sales and signs of a slowdown in manufacturing.

House panel approves $47.2 billion in foreign aid

WASHINGTON (AP) — A House panel on Wednesday approved legislation that would make deep cuts in State Department money and foreign assistance, a reflection of lawmakers’ debt-driven demands for austerity but a blow to assistance programs for famine-stricken parts of Africa.

FBI joins search for girl missing from NH town

STEWARTSTOWN, N.H. (AP) — The disappearance of an 11-year-old girl from her house just a mile from the Canadian border rattled nerves in her small town Wednesday as crews searched the Connecticut River and cordoned the house with police tape.

Pilot rescued from Lake Huron: People depend on me

HARBOR BEACH, Mich. (AP) — A New York pilot who crashed into Lake Huron and survived without a life jacket by swimming and treading water for 17 hours says he was finally rescued Wednesday when he frantically waved a sock to get the attention of people on a boat.

After more than a century, Walter Reed closing

Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the Army’s flagship hospital where privates to presidents have gone for care, is closing its doors after more than a century. Hundreds of thousands of the nation’s war wounded from World War I to today have received treatment at Walter Reed, including 18,000 troops who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Arrests prompt delays for Iraqis dreaming of US

Hussein Ibrahim al-Tikriti has a name and a resume that can create a lot of enemies in Iraq. A native of Saddam Hussein’s hometown and a translator for American and British security companies, the 31-year-old hoped to find safety by moving to the United States under a program designed to help Iraqis who’ve risked their lives for the U.S. government.

Your Opinion: Public works projects endorsed

Dear Editor: I am writing in support of Mr. Garber’s July 22 “Letter to the Editor” regarding investment in public works as a much needed action by a local, state, and federal government. I endorse all the points Mr. Garber makes about how our government by inaction and partisan politics has fumbled the economic ball over the past decade and landed our economy into a modern day “Great Depression.”

Your Opinion: Time to close tax loopholes

Dear Editor: As an individual citizen, I find it ridiculous for politicians to continue to protect “Big Business” given the recent news about the Federal Reserve (Its board members are also on the boards of banks who secured huge sums of no-interest bail-out monies from the Federal Reserve.)

Your Opinion: ‘Budget crisis’ debacle leaves bitter taste

Dear Editor: A concerned citizen watching the current “budget crisis” in Washington has got to be wondering about the function or lack thereof of our federal government.

Our Opinion: Dangerous side of water sports resurfaces

Three news stories published Monday offered a grim reminder of the dangerous aspect of water sports.

Growth slows in Missouri Medicaid, food stamps

The number of low-income people receiving food and health assistance care from Missouri continues to rise, though the rate of growth has slowed during the past year.

Feds in KC join human trafficking initiative

The federal prosecutor’s office in Kansas City has been chosen as one of six nationwide to lead a new initiative to fight human trafficking.

MoDOT delays Blanchette Bridge closures

Drivers who use the Blanchette Bridge at St. Charles are getting a brief reprieve.

8 area post offices on possible hit list

The Postal Service is considering closing more than 1 in 10 of its retail outlets.

Farmers harvest mayhem in combine demo derby

It was a farmer’s dream. Or worst nightmare depending on how you look at it.

Nixon adds senior policy adviser

New position to pay $100,000

Gov. Jay Nixon has hired former Missouri State University president Mike Nietzel as a senior policy adviser.

State’s disaster response ‘good,’ lawmakers told

Derrick Standley of Lebanon praised Missouri’s quick response to the May 22 Joplin tornado.

Area man gets probation for fatal accident

A Steedman man has been placed on five years supervised probation for pleading guilty to a second-degree involuntary manslaughter charge in Callaway County Court.

Study looks at NYC fast-food menu calorie counts

Like any fitness program, it works only if you pay attention to it. A new study on New York City’s effort to encourage healthy eating by posting calorie counts on menus shows that it worked for about one in six customers — or those who paid heed to them. Those who ignored the numbers or didn’t see them ordered whatever they wanted, regardless of how fattening it was.

’30 days of hell’ for US victim of German E. coli

In early May, John Meyer stayed at a lakeside hotel in Hamburg, Germany. He attended a business conference. He went sailing. And he became one of the few U.S. victims in one of the worst food poisoning outbreaks in recent world history.

Uniformed Mexican soldiers cross into South Texas

Almost three dozen uniformed Mexican soldiers in four military vehicles crossed the Rio Grande into South Texas without authorization Tuesday in an international incident U.S. officials were calling inadvertent.

Lawmaker: 40 Americans join terrorists in Somalia

More than 40 Americans have been recruited and radicalized by al-Qaida-linked terrorists in Somalia and have gone to the war-torn country to fight, the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee says.

Samaritan Center helping 100 families a day; pantries running low

The only thing there is plenty of at the Samaritan Center is need.

Eco-activist gains fame for civil disobedience

A sentencing hearing turned into a rally supporting an environmental activist who has become an antihero after disrupting a government auction of oil and gas leases near two national parks in Utah.

Court petition seeks to stop removal of papers from racks

The Lake Today has filed a petition in Miller County Circuit Court against Gatehouse Media Missouri, the parent company of the Lake Sun Leader, for removing stacks of The Lake Today papers from distribution racks.

Former water patrol employee pleads guilty

A former employee of the Missouri State Water Patrol has pleaded guilty to taking funds from the patrol for her own personal use.

Lake Ozark man sentenced to two years

A Lake Ozark man has pleaded guilty to resisting arrest after leading authorities on a chase in June in Cole County.

Movie Review: ’Cowboys & Aliens’ turns mash-up to mush

The genre mash-up of “Cowboys & Aliens” is more a mush-up, an action yarn aiming to be both science fiction and Old West adventure but doing neither all that well.

MU’s Denmon, English to try out for U.S. squad

The college basketball season may be a few months away, but a pair of Missouri Tigers will get a head start later this week.

Fire in ceiling damages home

A ceiling fire Monday night caused an estimated $10,000 in damage to a home on the west side of Cole County.

Should the music industry have tried to save Amy?

Just before her disastrous European tour last month, the infamously addicted singer entered a rehabilitation center on doctor’s orders, ostensibly to ensure that she would be ready to perform. She left a week later, with her publicist announcing she was “raring to go.”

Father dies after trying to save drowning son

Second death recorded in Lake of the Ozarks incident

An Indiana man has died after trying to save his drowning son at aLake of the Ozarks.

Invisible wounds of war: There’s an app for that?

When terrifying battlefield memories come rushing back to mind, in night sweats, flashbacks or a panic attack, some troops and vets now find comfort by reaching for their smartphones.

State seeks extension of Joplin debris removal aid

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon is seeking extension of a federal program covering most of the cost of removing debris from the May tornado in Joplin.

Counterfeit cash circulates in Fulton

On Monday and Tuesday, the Fulton Police Department recovered several counterfeit bills from area businesses.

Insurance payout from Joplin tornado to set record

Missouri officials say the insurance payout from the May 22 Joplin tornado will be the largest payout in the state’s history.

Three ex-Tigers sign NFL contracts

A trio of former Missouri Tigers signed free-agent contracts Tuesday with NFL teams.

Casey Anthony trial protester receives jail time

A man who handed out pamphlets outside of designated free-speech zones during the Casey Anthony murder trial has been given jail time by the central Florida judge presiding over the case.

Disaster assistance deadline nears in Missouri

Missourians who have been victims of weather disasters since the spring face a Friday deadline to register for assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Music Review: Randy Montana shows promise in debut

Randy Montana, “Randy Montana” (Mercury)

Randy Montana has introduced himself to music fans with one of 2011’s most engaging new singles, “1,000 Faces,” which revealed a warm, expressive voice and an interesting message folded into a catchy pop-country arrangement.

Latest developments in debt ceiling standoff

Congress has until Aug. 2 to raise the federal borrowing limit or the government will run out of money and possibly default on its debt.

Crow's classic car to be auctioned for Joplin relief

Some winning bidder will soon be cruising life’s winding road in Sheryl Crow’s 1959 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster.

Moody’s downgrades Cyprus by 2 notches

Moody’s downgraded Cyprus’ credit rating by two notches over concerns about the economic toll of a deadly blast that took out the island nation’s main power station.

Kramer’s new Spartz mystery is suspenseful, risky

“Killing Kate” (Atria), by Julie Kramer

In many respects, the fourth Riley Spartz mystery by Minnesota author Julie Kramer is her best yet.

Nissan quarterly profit drops 20 percent

Nissan’s quarterly profit dropped 20 percent as Japanese automakers took a battering from the quake and tsunami disaster that disrupted car production and destroyed dealerships.

Oil falls to near $99 after US crude supply jump

Oil prices fell to near $99 a barrel Wednesday in Asia after a report showed U.S. crude supplies unexpectedly jumped last week, suggesting demand may be weakening.

Moody’s downgrades Nokia’s credit rating

Moody’s has downgraded its credit rating on Finnish mobile phone company Nokia by two notches partly because of a loss of competitiveneses of its smartphones.

World stocks weighed down by US debt concerns

World stock markets wallowed Wednesday as the U.S. government edged closer to defaulting after lawmakers in the world’s biggest economy failed to make significant progress on raising its borrowing limit.

OU overwhelming favorite to win title in new Big 12

Before Oklahoma won its first Big 12 title in 2000, and went on to the win the national championship that season, coach Bob Stoops had no idea how good his second year there would be. That was the first of seven conference titles over the last 11 seasons when there were still 12 teams in the league.

Cole County 4-H public speaking contest

Five participants in the Cole County 4-H public speaking event were selected to participate in the state 4-H public speaking contest on Sept. 25 at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Cole County 4-H fashion competition held

The Cole County 4-H Fashion Revue is a competitive event for youth enrolled in 4-H clothing and textile, knitting and crochet projects.

Texas ag losses could set new record amid drought

Drought has spread over much of the southern U.S. this year, leaving Oklahoma the driest it has been since the 1930s and setting records from Louisiana to New Mexico.

Stephens College hosts NYC students at film camp

A group of New York City charter school students is spending the week in Columbia for a filmmaking workshop at Stephens College.

Springfield airport to close for runway renovation

The airport in Missouri’s third largest city will be shut down for several days in August to resurface a runway.

South Korean economy slows to 0.8 percent growth

South Korea’s economic growth slowed in the second quarter as weaker exports, manufacturing and services offset stronger consumer spending and rebounds in capital outlays and construction, the central bank said Wednesday.

Bradford, Rams hit the ground running

Steve Spagnuolo said hello to Sam Bradford, then let the quarterback get to work.

Calif. man attempts self-surgery with butter knife

A Southern California man stuck a butter knife into his belly in a failed bid at self-surgery to remove a painful hernia, police said Tuesday.

Chiefs loading up for training camp

Trucks loaded with everything from barbells to bottled water pulled out of Kansas City on Tuesday and headed north to St. Joseph.

Mystery Utah inmate identified as missing NM man

A mystery man believed to be in his 70s who has been locked up in a Utah jail for more than three weeks, refusing to provide his name, was identified Tuesday as a missing New Mexico man, authorities said.

Ga. mom spared prison in son’s jaywalking death

A woman who was arrested after her 4-year-old son was struck and killed by a van as they were jaywalking across a busy street was spared a prison sentence Tuesday following an outcry over her arrest.

MLS All Stars face daunting task vs. Man United

Having played for some of the world’s best teams, Thierry Henry knows the MLS All Stars will face a daunting task against Manchester United in the league’s annual mid-season classic. And that’s putting it mildly.

LG Electronics 2Q net profit plunges, sales fall

LG Electronics, a top global manufacturer of mobile phones and flat-screen TVs, says second-quarter net profit plunged as sales declined and its mobile phone business remained in the red.

Norway police slammed for slow response to rampage

When homegrown terrorist Anders Behring Breivik launched his assault on the youth campers of Utoya Island, he expected Norway’s special forces to swoop down and stop him any minute.

Calif. mulls microchip law on pet shelter adoptions

When Gabriela Dorame of Fullerton, Calif., got a German shepherd puppy named Bolto last year, she and her kids decided to have a microchip implanted in the dog with an identification number that makes it easy to reunite lost pets with owners.

Dunkin’ Donuts’ IPO priced at $19 a share

The parent company of Dunkin’ Donuts and ice cream chain Baskin-Robbins is pricing its initial public offering at $19 a share, above the forecast price range.

Glenn Beck says Norway camp like ’Hitler Youth’

Radio talk show host Glenn Beck said on his show that the camp in Norway where a gunman opened fire on young people sounds “like Hitler Youth.”

Study: Medicare drug plan saves hospital costs

A new study suggests Medicare’s 5-year-old prescription drug plan is keeping seniors out of hospitals and nursing homes, saving the federal program an estimated $12 billion a year in those costs.

Daimler Q2 net up 30 percent at $2.5 billion

Carmaker Daimler AG says its second-quarter earnings rose 30 percent from a year ago on strong performances across its divisions, including record profits at luxury brand Mercedes.

McDonald’s: Apple slices in every Happy Meal

An apple a day may keep the doctor away. But when you put it in a Happy Meal, it might help keep regulators at bay too.

Electronic Arts 1Q net income more than doubles

Electronic Arts Inc. more than doubled its fiscal first-quarter net income thanks to higher sales of video games such as “Portal 2,” “Crysis 2” and the soccer title “FIFA 11.”

Amazon 2Q profit falls but results beat Street

Amazon.com Inc. said Tuesday that its second-quarter profit fell despite a 51 percent jump in revenue as the leading online retailer spent heavily to expand its business.

$1 million-plus Chinese cups tops for ’Antiques Roadshow’

An Oklahoma man has more than a million reasons to be happy he brought his collection of Chinese rhinoceros horned cups to be appraised by experts with the PBS series “Antiques Roadshow.”

Poultry maker expands of chicken recall to nuggets

A voluntary recall of thousands of pounds of ready-to-eat chicken has been expanded over concerns that the meat could be contaminated with bacteria that can cause food poisoning.

Winehouse family, friends attend singer’s funeral

Wearing dark suits, black dresses and the occasional beehive hairdo, friends and family said goodbye to Amy Winehouse Tuesday with prayers, tears, laughter and song at an emotional funeral ceremony.

Dan Peek, founding member of band America, dies

Passes at Farmington, Mo., home

Dan Peek, a founding member of the popular 1970s band America and singer of high harmonies on hits that included “A Horse With No Name” and “Ventura Highway,” has died, his father said Tuesday. He was 60.

Tuesday's National League Capsules

Rookie right-hander Vance Worley threw a three-hitter and Chase Utley hit an inside-the-park homer to lead Philadelphia to a 7-2 victory over San Francisco on Tuesday night.

Tuesday's American League Capsules

The Seattle Mariners flailed away helplessly against CC Sabathia in their 17th straight loss, managing only one hit and striking out 18 times overall in a 4-1 loss to the New York Yankees on a rain-soaked Tuesday night.

Early heroics from Pujols

First-inning home run lifts Cardinals to 3-1 win over Astros

Albert Pujols got the St. Louis Cardinals off to a quick start with a two-run first inning homer, and starter Jake Westbrook made it hold up with six innings of one-run ball as the Cardinals defeated the slumping Houston Astros 3-1 on Tuesday.

BoSox bounce back

After late night, Pedroia, Ortiz pound Royals 13-9

David Ortiz had four hits and five RBI, and Dustin Pedroia had four of Boston’s 16 hits Tuesday night to lead the Red Sox to a 13-9 victory over the Kansas City Royals, their 18th win in 22 games.