News for Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Colbert to meet Radiohead in hour-long episode

Stephen Colbert meeting Radiohead is such a special occasion, a regular episode of “The Colbert Report” wasn’t sufficient.

Obama’s deficit plan tightens squeeze on Medicare

WASHINGTON (AP) — When it comes to health care savings, President Barack Obama’s deficit plan borrows a familiar strategy from corporate America’s playbook: cut costs or shift them to others.

Troops amputations up sharply in Afghan war

WASHINGTON (AP) — The counterinsurgency tactic that is sending U.S. soldiers out on foot patrols among the Afghan people, rather than riding in armored vehicles, has contributed to a dramatic increase in arm and leg amputations, sometimes with the loss of multiple limbs, following blast injuries.

Mullen: Troop total in Iraq to drop sharply

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of American troops in Iraq will fall to 30,000 by the end of this month as the U.S. winds down the war, the top U.S military officer said Tuesday.

Palestinians press case for UN membership

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas pressed ahead with his campaign for statehood before the U.N. despite frantic U.S. efforts Tuesday to forge a diplomatic solution that would avoid a charged vote before the Security Council.

Poll: Young people see online slurs as just joking

Is it ever OK to tweet that a girl’s a “slut”? How about slinging offensive names for homosexuals in a post to a friend on Facebook? Or texting a racial slur? Most young people think it’s all right when friends are joking around with each other, according to a new poll.

IMF: World economy enters ‘dangerous new phase’

WASHINGTON (AP) — The world economy has entered a “dangerous new phase,” according to the chief economist of the International Monetary Fund. As a result, the international lending organization has sharply downgraded its economic outlook for the United States and Europe through the end of next year.

Airlines collect $783M in bag fees in 1st quarter

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. airlines collected slightly more in baggage fees in the first three months of the year as the number of travelers increased.

Stocks end mixed as promise of Greek debt fix dims

NEW YORK (AP) — Investor optimism faded in a hurry Tuesday after two days of conferences ended with no resolution to Greece’s debt crisis.

FACT CHECK: Are rich taxed less than secretaries?

President Barack Obama makes it sound like there are millionaires all over America paying taxes at lower rates than their secretaries.

Drug-resistant tuberculosis spreading fast in Europe

When Anna Watterson lost more than 20 pounds and developed a cough she couldn’t shake, she was afraid she’d caught some mysterious disease. After repeated visits to the doctor and months of being sick in 2004, the London barrister was finally diagnosed with drug-resistant tuberculosis.

KC school district loses accreditation

Missouri education officials have revoked the accreditation of the Kansas City School District after it failed for several years to meet most of the state’s academic performance standards.

Union: GM may expand eastern Mo. factory

Gov. Jay Nixon says he is strongly encouraged by news that General Motors may expand its factory in the eastern Missouri city of Wentzville.

Flying fish, monsters on Toys R Us ’Hot Toy’ list

Every year, toy makers and sellers hope there will be a runaway hit toy to help spur excitement around the holidays and boost sales. Toys R Us is betting that 15 toys ranging from a flying, inflatable remote-control fish to tiny collectible monsters will be big hits this season.

Alternatives to Netflix: new ways to watch TV, movies

Netflix and the newly-minted Qwikster have a growing list of competitors that offer movies and TV shows streamed online, on DVDs, or through on-demand cable TV. Choosing the right service will depend on your appetite for video. Do you want the latest movies or the greatest classics? Would you prefer cheap or better on-the-go access?

NWS: Many Joplin residents ignored 1st warnings

A majority of Joplin, Mo., residents either ignored or were slow to react to the first warning sirens about a massive and deadly tornado this spring, partially because of decades of false alarms, the government said Tuesday.

Congressional hearing focuses on border security

Four months after President Barack Obama went to the other end of the Texas-Mexico border to tally achievements in border security and call for comprehensive immigration reform, a Republican congressman said the border remains unsafe and convened a hearing Monday in this border city to show it.

Traveling on East McCarty?

Missouri American Water Company has the westbound lanes in the 200 block of East McCarty Street closed to repair a water leak.

Real-time tracking of diseases improves diagnosis

The doctor doesn’t think your sore throat is bad enough yet to order a strep test — unaware that a dozen people across town were diagnosed with strep throat just last week.

Are Netflix’s best days behind it?

Netflix is trying to boost business by chopping its services into two separate parts. Unfortunately for investors, the company’s stock price is what’s really been cleaved.

Zooey Deschanel: A funny lady as ‘New Girl’

Zooey Deschanel, star of the sassy new Fox comedy “New Girl,” was supposed to meet with a reporter for breakfast after her appearance Thursday morning on “Live With Regis and Kelly.” A throng of paparazzi trailed her from the studio to an Upper West Side restaurant a few blocks away, where the reporter was waiting.

Lawmakers at loggerheads in Mo. special session

Missouri’s special legislative session is teetering between collapse and compromise as lawmakers are at loggerheads over a job-creation proposal.

US scientists testing earthquake early warning

Elizabeth Cochran was sitting in her office when her computer suddenly sounded an alarm. Beep. Beep. Beep.

Republic moves banned books back to library

After two months of controversy, a southwest Missouri school board has decided to return two banned books to the high school library.

‘Moneyball’ doesn’t quite knock it out of the park

You don’t have to know about VORP — or WHIP, or OPS — to enjoy “Moneyball,” the story of how a bunch of stat geeks changed the way baseball teams assess and acquire players.

US lung cancer rates fall

Western states lead way

The West is leading a national decline in the rate of new lung cancer cases, with states like California and Nevada accounting for much of the improvement, particularly among women.

Son brings crack pipe to Mo. elementary school

Officials at a small northwest Missouri elementary school say they were stunned when a kindergarten student brought his mom’s crack pipe and some drugs for show-and-tell.

Police looking for 81-year-old Missouri man

Police in a Kansas City suburb have issued a Silver Alert for an 81-year-old man who hasn’t been seen since Friday.

Mo. Lottery boasts record month in August

The Missouri Lottery says August was its best month ever.

China worried Europe debt crisis will hit trade

China’s Commerce Ministry said Tuesday it is worried that Europe’s debt crisis could spark trade friction and hurt sales to the country’s largest export market.

Oklahoma, Texas clear path to leave Big 12

Oklahoma cleared the way Monday for its possible departure from the Big 12, with university president David Boren demanding the league move toward an equal revenue-sharing model and create stability or else lose the Sooners to the Pac-12.

Seniors gather to give state lawmakers a piece of their mind

To ensure the issues that are most important to seniors are recognized, the Silver Haired Legislature exists.

Lady Jays honor four seniors with win over Lady Tigers

You get 13 hits — five for extra bases, one a grand slam. You hold your opponent to just three baserunners, none of which get as far as second.

Blair Oaks edges Russellville in softball

LeeAnn Polowy had two hits, including a triple, and drove in three runs to lead the Blair Oaks Lady Falcons to a 5-4 win Monday over Russellville.

Grant cuts hurt local energy assistance

Starting Oct. 1, the Cole County Family Resource Center will no longer have staff available to provide energy assistance services.

2 caught stealing scrap metal

Two Jefferson City residents have been charged with stealing scrap metal from a local business.

Helias gets past Moberly in tennis

The Helias girls tennis team improved to 4-3 on the season with a 6-3 win Monday over Moberly at Washington Park.

Illinois man accused in 8 slayings guilty in 1st trial

Jurors took less than an hour Monday to convict an Illinois man of murder in the death of one of eight people he’s accused of bludgeoning to death in Illinois and Missouri.

Council approves JCMG rezoning

The Jefferson City Council has approved rezoning requests to allow for an expansion of the Jefferson City Medical Group, or JCMG, on West Stadium Boulevard.

Analysis: US-Taiwan F-16 sale aims at compromise

Taiwan, China and Congress won’t be cheering the Obama administration’s decision to upgrade Taiwan’s fleet of F-16 fighter jets but not sell it new planes. But it may be a compromise they can all live with.

Obama’s health care cuts spread the pain

Health care savings in President Barack Obama’s deficit-reduction plan would squeeze future Medicare recipients, cut payments to drug companies and hospitals, and shift costs to states.

CBS’ ’Two and a Half Men’ kills Sheen’s character

“Two and a Half Men” creator Chuck Lorre introduced Ashton Kutcher as a new star of television’s most popular comedy on Monday, and gained a measure of revenge against the departed Charlie Sheen in the process.

Education board considers ‘open enrollment’ for public schools

State Board of Education President Peter Herschend hopes the state will have an “open enrollment” policy in place within a year.

Victims in Nev. air crash shared love of aviation

Sharon Stewart needed money to visit her four sons in California so she took a minimum-wage job picking up trash at the National Championship Air Races in Reno. She was almost done with her 11-hour shift when a WWII-era fighter plane veered off course and crashed into the VIP seating section.

Filing: Firm planning Mo. project short on cash

A recent disclosure shows that a company trying to receive state and local incentives for manufacturing an artificial sweetener in central Missouri has little cash.

Repeal of gay ban causing few waves in military

After years of debate and months of final preparations, the military can no longer prevent gays from serving openly in its ranks.

As gay military ban ends, officer sheds his alias

On Tuesday, when the 17-year-old “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy goes away, so does J.D. Smith, the name a 25-year-old Air Force officer assumed to shield his identity as he engaged in high-wire activism that could have crashed down on his career. Even if no one asks, Air Force First Lt. Joshua David Seefried is telling.

LU students get lesson in constitutional issues

Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster told Lincoln University students Monday his “three adult jobs” have given him “different vantage points on the U.S. Constitution.”

Joplin getting new grant to finish tornado cleanup

The city of Joplin is getting up to $4 million from the federal government to complete the demolition and removal of debris from the May 22 tornado.

Lady Jays sweep Lebanon in volleyball

The Jefferson City Lady Jays didn’t drop a game in sweeping a tripleheader Monday from the Lebanon Lady Jackets.

OU, not conference questions, on minds of Missouri this week

It’s hard to imagine a game on Missouri’s schedule that requires more attention than Oklahoma.

Muslim students’ trial nearly in hands of jury

Prosecutors argue that 10 Muslim students acted as censors when they shouted down a speech by an Israeli diplomat at the University of California, Irvine, while the defense says the students acted within the law.

Doubts raised for UN progress at disease summit

Everyone knows what it would take to curb the global rise of chronic illnesses like heart disease, certain cancers and diabetes, but getting nations and their citizens to make the essential changes is more than daunting.

Republic school board to discuss book ban changes

After a decision to ban two books drew national attention, a southwest Missouri school district will discuss revising its book policy.

MacArthur Foundation reveals 2011 ’genius grants’

A Chicago skyscraper architect, a New York City children’s choir founder and a North Carolina scientist who studies how to prevent sports-related concussions are among the latest 22 recipients of the no-strings-attached MacArthur Foundation “genius grants.”

Volleyball: Rock Bridge sweeps Fatima

Fatima fell behind by 10 points in its first game against Rock Bridge and couldn’t recover. The Lady Bruins won the game and went on to a 25-19, 25-16 victory.

GM board in China, set to deepen local cooperation

The board of directors of General Motors Co. has met in Shanghai in its first-ever meeting outside the United States as the automaker prepares to further deepen cooperation with its flagship Chinese partner.

Russellville tops Calvary in volleyball

Kristi Dulaney had five aces as Russellville topped Calvary Lutheran Monday night.

New ‘Dancing’ cast makes its ballroom debut

“Dancing With the Stars” unveiled its new ballroom and new cast Monday, and when all the dancing was done, singer Chynna Phillips and actor J.R. Martinez were tied at the top.

Senators didn’t always slam energy loan program

Louisiana Sen. David Vitter and other Republicans have criticized the Obama administration for awarding billions of dollars in taxpayer subsidies for renewable energy projects, including a $528 million loan to a now-bankrupt California solar panel maker. But the GOP lawmakers haven’t always been so critical of the program.

Hovis survives playoff, falls in first match at U.S. Mid-Amateur

Scott Hovis got a bit of redemption.

Lawmakers back changes to river management

Several members of Missouri’s U.S. House delegation are backing legislation requiring the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to adjust water levels in upstream reservoirs on the Missouri River to prevent massive flooding downstream.

Two Mid-Missourians honored for Scouting work

Carl Porting, Jefferson City, and Bill Gartner, Columbia, received the St. Benedict Award for their years of service at the Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows in Starkenburg from the Catholic Committee on Scouting at the annual retreat.

Man sentenced to life in prison for 3 Mo. murders

The man who killed three Cape Girardeau residents in a botched murder-for-hire plot will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Coroner: Remains those of missing nursing student

Officials have determined that badly decomposed human remains discovered over the weekend in a California canyon are those of Michelle Le, the missing nursing student who disappeared in May while taking a school break.

Tyson pays $32 million to settle wage lawsuit

Tyson Foods Inc. is paying $32 million to settle a long-running dispute over whether it should compensate poultry plant workers for time they spend putting on and taking off protective clothing.

Parents divided on seeing Casey Anthony again

Casey Anthony’s father said that he doesn’t believe it’s possible to reconnect with his acquitted daughter and that she should be held responsible for his 2-year-old granddaughter’s death.

House panel OKs teacher communication bill

A Missouri House committee has approved legislation revising a new state law restricting teachers’ online communications with students.

Taylor Armstrong says late husband was abusive

Taylor Armstrong of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” said in a TV interview that her late husband subjected her to an abusive and frightening life.

Play about Prop 8 makes its Broadway debut

A play based on last year’s federal court fight over California’s gay marriage ban made its Broadway debut on Monday night with an all-star cast, only hours after a federal judge decided to unseal the trial’s video recordings.

Kansas woman raises awareness about Lyme disease

When Tammy Farmer gave birth to her son, Logan, her life changed dramatically, but not in the usual way. Without knowing it, Farmer was a carrier of Lyme disease, and it wasn't until she went through the physical stress of childbirth that she began to experience symptoms like excruciating pain and cognitive impairment.

Italy criticizes S&P downgrade as political

Italy criticized Standard & Poor’s on Tuesday for downgrading its credit rating, saying the decision was out of touch with reality at a time when the government was working to boost growth and reduce its debts.

Salon famous for Palin’s up-do gets reality show

The salon famous for Sarah Palin’s hair-do gets its own shot at the spotlight.

S. California grocery union makes tentative deal

Negotiators for workers at Southern California’s largest grocery chains reached a deal Monday to avoid a repeat of a four-month strike eight years ago that cost the industry $2 billion and created havoc for shoppers.

Child abuse rose during recession, research says

An increase in child abuse, mostly in infants, is linked with the recent recession in new research that raises fresh concerns about the impact of the nation's economic woes.

ConocoPhillips sets up 2nd China oil spill fund

ConocoPhillips plans a new fund to address environmental problems in China’s Bohai Bay, following harsh criticism from marine authorities and environmentalists over oil spills in the heavily polluted sea.

Writer builds cabin as balm for midlife angst

“Cabin: Two Brothers, a Dream, and Five Acres in Maine” (Viking), by Lou Ureneck

Cabin fever often sets in by mid-February in the wilds of Maine, when hip-deep snowdrifts make it tough to get around and hanging around the house in the short hours of daylight can make you stir-crazy.