News for Friday, October 21, 2011

Brewer's case against feds dismissed

A federal judge Friday dismissed Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer's lawsuit that accused the Obama administration of failing to enforce immigration laws or maintain control of her state's border with Mexico.

Pujols is center of attention at World Series

Even more attention than usual was focused Friday on star first baseman Albert Pujols after St. Louis blew a ninth-inning lead Thursday night and lost Game 2 to the Texas Rangers 2-1, leaving the World Series tied at a game apiece.

Bette Midler to Lady Gaga: Take my clothes

It wasn’t long ago that Bette Midler blasted Lady Gaga on Twitter for appearing in a costume that was similar to Midler’s famous mermaid-in-a-wheelchair get-up. Now the Divine Miss M is extending an olive branch by suggesting Gaga buy some of her originals.

D'Agostini scores in OT, Blues beat Hurricanes

Matt D'Agostini scored at 3:58 of overtime to give the St. Louis Blues a 3-2 comeback victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday night.

Missouri high school football scores for Oct. 21, 2011

Here are high school football scores from around Missouri for Oct. 21, 2011.

Jackson doctor's defense challenges key expert

The lead attorney for the doctor charged in Michael Jackson's death challenged a key prosecution expert Friday about his contention that the physician was responsible for the death of the singer.

Oakland tells protesters to pack up immediately

Oakland city officials are telling hundreds of protesters camping outside City Hall in support of the Occupy Wall Street movement to pack up their tents, sleeping bags and cookware in preparation to vacate the area.

Ohio House agrees to push presidential primary

Ohio voters can prepare for two primaries in 2012 after the governor signed a bill on Friday night to hold most national contests in June with local primaries still taking place in March.

Stocks rise sharply on solid corporate earnings

A broad rally swept through the stock market Friday after McDonald’s and several other large companies reported solid earnings.

Duff McKagan, rocker, and now writer

Rock stars who pen their autobiographies are pretty common. Rock stars who write columns for alternative weeklys and ESPN.com? Not so much.

Jack Daniel’s distillery targeted for more taxes

For decades, Jack Daniel’s whiskey has celebrated its small Tennessee hometown of Lynchburg with folksy, black-and-white advertisements urging folks to slow down and have a sip.

5 great ‘Sesame Street’ celebrity appearances

The documentary “Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey” opens this week, about every toddler’s favorite red monster and the man who brings him to life, Kevin Clash.

Feds OK Mo. plan to coordinate mental health care

Federal officials say Missouri is the first state in the nation to get approval for a special health-care coordination program under President Barack Obama’s health care law.

Gov. Nixon signs Missouri science incentives

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has signed legislation directing state money to help new companies doing business in science or technology fields

Document: Cadaver dog ’hit’ at missing baby’s KC home

An FBI cadaver dog reacted to the scent of a dead person inside the Kansas City home where a baby girl disappeared nearly three weeks ago, and investigators discovered soil in the backyard that had been "recently disturbed or overturned," police said in a court document released Friday.

Gadhafi is gone but other US foes remain

Moammar Gadhafi now joins the ranks of powerful foreign figures who have battled the United States only to come to a bad end. But even with the demise of the Libyan dictator, plus Osama bin Laden, Iraq's Saddam Hussein and Serbia's Slobodan Milosevic, there are still autocrats around the world hostile to the U.S., notably in Cuba, Venezuela, North Korea and Iran.

Rangers heading home with World Series momentum

Josh Hamilton and the Rangers are heading home with all the momentum — and their slumbering offense is finally showing signs of life.

Fed threat gets results as Calif pot shops close

A letter from federal prosecutors accomplished what nearly $600,000 in legal fees couldn't do in this Orange County suburb: it shut down medical marijuana shops.

AG asks feds for restraint on medical pot

Federal prosecutors should be careful not to overreach in their crackdown on California's pot dispensaries, even though there are ambiguities in the state's medical marijuana laws, the state attorney general said Thursday.

Missouri 179 in Jefferson City Will Open Ahead of Schedule

t's been almost two months since MoDOT closed a portion of Missouri 179 in Jefferson City for construction work, and the department is now ready to open the roadway almost two weeks ahead of schedule.

Mo. repeals teacher-student Internet restrictions

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has signed legislation repealing a contentious law that had limited online discussions between teachers and students.

Film Review: ‘Martha’ one of year’s most haunting films

“Martha Marcy May Marlene” is a tongue twister of a title that makes chilling sense as the film unfolds. In quiet, intimate ways, it is one of the most startling, haunting films you’ll see all year.

Niagara Falls mulls going into wastewater business

The city that put Love Canal and Superfund in the environmental lexicon may get back into the business of dealing with toxic waste — this time willingly. It is considering whether to truck in and treat wastewater left over from natural gas drilling.

Farmers add plants to attract, nourish bees

Dozens of farmers in California and other states have started replacing some of their crops with flowers and shrubs that are enticing to bees, hoping to lower their pollination costs and restore a bee population devastated in the past few years.

Missouri takes another step toward leaving Big 12

Missouri has taken another step toward leaving the Big 12 Conference and there is interest in the SEC in taking the Tigers.

Music Review: Murdock’s live album a ’Journey’ to church

Shirley Murdock, “Live: The Journey” (Tyscot Records)

Shirley Murdock’s “Live: The Journey” isn’t merely an album of 17 gospel tracks, it’s an inspirational Sunday morning at church, complete with short sermons and a rollicking gospel choir led by Murdock’s velvety voice and down-home charm.

Your Opinion: Love and compassion deserve recognition

Dear Editor: The request of Geraldean McMillin as a birthday present to her, to ask writers of Letters to the Editor to mention something good about others is praise-worthy.

Your Opinion: Response to Torres about local community

Dear Editor: Most good citizens in our town should be highly offended by the rancor expressed by the so-called, as she supposedly described herself, “young adult” who moved away because of her hatred of this town and its residents. This has to be the most hateful letter I have ever seen and I am surprised that it even rated mentioning in our newspaper.

Your Opinion: Presidential primary, not caucus, favored

Dear Editor: This letter was very difficult to write because I am dedicated to civil dialogue. So I am asking Missouri lawmakers to whom this letter is addressed to please not mistake my civility for a lack of passion.

Officials: US drone fired in Gadhafi strike

With the end of the Libya mission in sight, U.S. military officials were looking ahead Friday to where they might shift aircraft and drones that had been involved in the operations.

Our Opinion: State employee teams honored for productivity

When state employees enhance productivity, they deliver more efficient and effective services for Missouri taxpayers.

Obama announces total Iraq troop withdrawal

President Barack Obama on Friday declared an end to the Iraq war, one of the longest and most divisive conflicts in U.S. history, announcing that all U.S. troops would be withdrawn from the country by year’s end.

High income workers’ share of total wages grows

Fifty percent of U.S. workers earned less than $26,364 last year, reflecting a growing income gap between the nation’s rich and poor, the government reported Thursday.

Missouri Senate leader to end special session

The Missouri Senate leader says he intends to end a special legislative session next week without approving a package of business incentives.

Mo. plans to seek waiver for federal education law

Missouri education officials plan to seek a waiver from the federal No Child Left Behind law.

Filing for Mo. presidential primary starts Tuesday

The filing period for Missouri’s 2012 presidential primary elections opens next week.

Ky. teen accused of running naked into KC home

A 17-year-old Kentucky man is accused of running naked into a Kansas City home and climbing into bed with a 6-year-old girl.

Cardinals to thank as Slay cancels furloughs

St. Louis employees will not have to take mandatory furloughs this year after all, thanks to the Cardinals’ trip to the World Series.

Cigarette argument leads to 911 call

A Cape Girardeau woman is facing misdemeanor charges for calling 911 in a dispute over cigarettes.

Fed official says more bond purchases may needed

A voting member of the Federal Reserve’s policy-making committee on Thursday called for the central bank to consider buying mortgage bonds again as a way to spur economic growth.

Traditionally black church now headed by white pastor

Evidence of God’s hand at work is all around John Underwood these days.

Missouri River management meeting planned

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will hold a meeting in Jefferson City as part of a series of public meetings to discuss the 2011-12 draft Annual Operating Plan for the Missouri River Mainstem Reservoir System.

Downtown parking, water lines discussed at meeting

Two local residents have requested the city look into widening and providing assigned spaces in the Madison Street parking garage after a number of incidents there.

Callaway Jail faces overcrowding with female inmates

According to Callaway County Sheriff Dennis Crane, when the Callaway County Jail was designed in 1989, “if we held two or three (female inmates) we were doing good.”

EPA to regulate disposal of fracking wastewater

Federal environmental regulators signaled Thursday they want to increase oversight of the natural gas extraction industry, announcing they will develop national standards for the disposal of polluted wastewaters generated by a drilling technique known as hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.

Mexican president: US dumping criminals at border

Mexican President Felipe Calderon accused the United States on Thursday of dumping criminals at the border because it is cheaper than prosecuting them, and said the practice has fueled violence in Mexico’s border areas.

Report: Food labels need Energy Star-like ratings

Just as that Energy Star tag helps you choose your appliances, a new report says a rating symbol on the front of every soup can, cereal box and yogurt container could help hurried shoppers go home with the healthiest foods.

California adopts extensive ’cap-and-trade’ plan

California formally adopted the nation’s most comprehensive so-called “cap-and-trade” system Thursday, an experiment by the world’s eighth-largest economy that is designed to provide financial incentives for polluters to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Crusaders take care of business, rip Marshall

The final result wasn’t unexpected.

Mo. House asks for conference with Senate on jobs bill

The Missouri House voted Thursday to ask the state Senate for more talks about the unfinished jobs bill that was supposed to be the centerpiece of this fall’s special legislative session.

Adoptions spiked among gay couples in past decade

The number of gays and lesbians adopting children has nearly tripled in the past decade despite discriminatory rules in many states, according to an analysis of recent population trends.

Jobs questioned authority all his life, book says

A new biography portrays Steve Jobs as a skeptic all his life — giving up religion because he was troubled by starving children, calling executives who took over Apple “corrupt” and delaying cancer surgery in favor of cleansings and herbal medicine.

Lady Crusaders down Lady Jays in volleyball

Sometimes, there’s nothing like playing your biggest rival to bring out the best in you.

CDC: 1 in 25 adolescents take drugs for depression

Roughly 1 in 25 adolescents in the United States are taking antidepressants, according to a new government study billed as the first to offer such statistics on that age group. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday reported the figure for kids ages 12 to 17. It's based on surveys and depression screenings of about 12,000 U.S. adolescents and adults during the years 2005 through 2008.

Ornament to mark Country Club’s centennial

The Jefferson City Country Club continues to celebrate its centennial year, now with an ornament from the Cole County Historical Society.

Helias tennis duo on to state

The Helias Lady Crusaders will have three players take part in the Class 1 state individual tennis tournament that starts today at the Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield.

Plenty of activities on tap for Halloween in Mid-Missouri

Mid-Missouri residents again this year will have lots of Halloween and fall-themed events to choose from, with many being more family oriented or Christ-centered than creepy.

British MP to detail new covert ops by News Corp

British lawmaker Tom Watson plans to detail new findings of covert surveillance techniques employed by News Corp. that go “beyond phone hacking.”

Civil War marker event set Saturday in Williamsburg

Re-enactors clad in colorful Civil War uniforms, historic talks, a house tour, music and wagon rides along the historic Boone’s Lick Trail are among the attractions to be offered at a Civil War marker dedication Saturday morning in Williamsburg.

Southern Boone tops Jefferson City in overtime

Coming off a string of games against some of the best teams in the midwest, Jefferson City soccer coach Eddie Horn was afraid his team might be in for a letdown.

AP-GfK Poll: Hope weak for economy, Obama remedies

The extreme funk that settled over the country during the summer has eased slightly, but Americans remain gloomy about the economy and more than half say President Barack Obama does not inspire confidence about a recovery.

St. Elizabeth hungry for a softball title

Reaches Final Four

St. Elizabeth is making a trip to the Class 1 Final Four for the first time since 2002 and the Lady Hornets hope to achieve the same result they did nine years ago — a state championship.

Missouri House bails out from fighter jet controversy

The Missouri House tried to steer clear of controversy on Thursday over earlier support it offered for a fighter jet that some fear could compete with a plane built in St. Louis.

Second quake jolts San Francisco Bay area

Two small earthquakes hit the San Francisco area Thursday, jolting residents on the same day many Californians took part in an annual earthquake preparedness drill.

Ala. man executed for 6-month-old son's slaying

An Alabama man who testified that he killed his infant son at his family's home because he hated his wife was executed at a prison in the same community Thursday, declaring as his only last words: "Game over."

Union Pacific 3Q profit rises on higher prices

Union Pacific Corp. on Thursday reported that its third-quarter earnings rose 16 percent, as the railroad charged higher prices to offset slower growth in shipments and higher fuel costs.

Owner of NYC protest park navigates a dilemma

The New York plaza commandeered by activists who helped birth a global protest is owned by a wealthy real estate corporation with million-dollar properties around the world.

Largest study on cellphones, cancer finds no link

Danish researchers can offer some reassurance if you’re concerned about your cellphone: Don’t worry. Your device is probably safe.

Mercedes expanding Alabama plant

German automaker Daimler AG says it is investing $350 million in its Mercedes plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama in an expansion that will create 400 new jobs.

Lohan late to Day 1 of community service at morgue

Lindsay Lohan arrived late to her first day of community service at the county morgue Thursday and was turned away, another hiccup in the actress’ effort to prove to a judge that she is complying with terms of her probation.

World stocks up as Europe debt crisis lumbers on

World stock markets rose Friday, putting aside concerns that European leaders might not come up with a comprehensive plan to deal with the region’s chronic debt crisis in time for a weekend summit.

Merkel: Germany, France broadly agree on debt deal

Chancellor Angela Merkel insisted Friday that Germany and France agree over the main points of a plan to deal with Europe’s crippling debt crisis, a day after the nations’ leaders said a new strategy won’t emerge in time for a Sunday summit.

Senate rejects big piece of Obama jobs bill

President Barack Obama and his allies in the Senate promise to press ahead with separate votes on pieces of his failed $447 billion jobs measure despite unanimous opposition from Republicans. But there also are signs of slippage among Democrats and evidence the strategy isn't working with voters.

German business confidence drops

A closely-watched survey shows German business confidence has fallen for the fourth month in a row but remains at relatively high levels, as Europe’s biggest economy continues to weather the turmoil from the debt crisis.

Mizzou DT Richardson set to make first start

Sheldon Richardson will finally get his first career start for Missouri this weekend. "It's been a long time coming," Richardson said.

Mo. health agency reports death from tainted fruit

Missouri health officials report the death of an 84-year-old who contracted listeriosis from contaminated cantaloupe traced to a Colorado farm.

Australian riot police break up ’Occupy’ protest

Riot police in Australia’s second-largest city broke up a demonstration linked to the “Occupy Wall Street” movement Friday, after a group of around 100 people protesting corporate greed defied an order to vacate a plaza.

Chiefs WR Breaston settling in

Over the past few weeks, Chiefs fans have begun to see why coach Todd Haley was so excited about the free agent acquisition of wide receiver Steve Breaston.

WR Lloyd may jumpstart Rams offense

In obtaining veteran wide receiver Brandon Lloyd, the St. Louis Rams have added a pair of sure hands to a receiving corps that has been plagued by dropped passes this season and an offense than barely scores.

Mother gets 15 years for suffocating baby

A St. Louis-area woman has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for suffocating her 3-month-old daughter in 2008 and injuring her infant son in 2009.

Mo. curators meet privately about president

The governing board for the University of Missouri system has ended a private meeting about its search for a new president.

Summer heat claims more than 60 lives in Kan., Mo.

The heat dome that settled over the nation this past summer, bringing record temperatures and thick tropical air, claimed more than 60 lives in the Midwestern states of Kansas and Missouri, the latest numbers show.

Senate votes to extend higher loan limits

The Senate has voted to extend higher limits on federally backed mortgage loans for two more years.

Jackson doc’s defense to finally question expert

For several moments, the milky white substance that authorities say killed Michael Jackson dripped down into an IV line a few feet away from jurors.

Iran intelligence chief rejects US allegations

Iran’s intelligence chief said Thursday there are holes in the U.S. allegations that Iranian agents plotted to kill the Saudi ambassador to the United States, and dismissed the American claims as a “foolish plot” nobody will believe.

Ford: UAW deal raises yearly costs minimally

A new contract between Ford Motor Co. and the United Auto Workers union will raise the automaker’s labor costs by less than 1 percent a year, reaching a company goal of holding costs fairly steady, executives said Thursday.

Senate OKs Obama pick to head Commerce Department

The Senate voted Thursday to approve President Barack Obama’s nomination of former utility executive John Bryson to head the Commerce Department, easily overcoming conservatives’ objections that his pro-environmental views made him unsuited for the job.

Oil prices above $86 ahead of Europe debt talks

Oil prices rose slightly toward $87 a barrel Friday in Asia ahead of a summit this weekend where European leaders will try to agree on a plan to contain their region’s debt crisis.

Japan Cabinet OKs $158 billion extra budget

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda’s Cabinet on Friday approved a 12.1 trillion yen ($158 billion) extra budget to help fund the reconstruction of Japan’s tsunami-battered northeast.

Woman found dead in St. Louis hotel bathtub

St. Louis homicide investigators are looking into the death of a central Illinois woman whose body was found bound and gagged in a hotel bathtub.

World Series TV ratings down for Game 1

Television viewership for Game 1 of the World Series was down slightly from last year, when the average rating matched a record low.

Thursday's NHL Capsules

NHL ROUNDUP: Alex Ovechkin scored two goals and the Washington Capitals used a three-goal third period to beat the Philadelphia Flyers 5-2 on Thursday night.

Philip Morris Int’l 3Q net up on higher prices

Cigarette maker Philip Morris International Inc. said Thursday that its third-quarter net income grew nearly 31 percent as it sold more cigarettes, particularly in Asia, and raised prices.

Microsoft’s fiscal 1Q earnings hit analyst target

Microsoft’s Windows franchise regained some of its vigor during the company’s latest quarter, but that might not be enough to overcome the perception that the world’s largest software maker is being outmaneuvered by nimble rivals whose fortunes aren’t tied to the personal computer.