Missouri says "Black Friday' not a holiday

For the second year in a row, the day after Thanksgiving is just another work day for Missouri government employees.

Scott Holste, Gov. Jay Nixon's spokesman, said the Office of Administration told state agencies Monday that all state offices will be open Nov. 25.

The agencies are to "practice normal leave policies, as they did last year," Holste said.

That means employees who want the day off must ask, and be approved, for a vacation day.

Over the years, many state employees have come to expect that day as a holiday, even though it is not part of the state law authorizing days when state government is closed - because governors of both parties issued executive orders declaring that Friday as an extra day off.