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Today's Poll!News for Thursday, September 22, 2011
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Dow falls on worldwide fears about economy
NEW YORK (AP) — Investors began giving in to fears Thursday that a global recession is already under way, and stock markets shuddered around the world. Selling started in Asia, picked up speed in Europe and sent Wall Street near its worst finish of the year.
Mo. House panel declines to vote on business bill
JEFFERSON CITY — Concerns appeared to multiply Thursday about an economic development bill at the center of Missouri’s special legislative session, leading majority party Republicans to cancel a scheduled vote and causing many lawmakers to wonder if it was time to simply give up on negotiations and go home.
Obama rolling back Bush-era education law
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration is offering states a way around provisions of the once-heralded No Child Left Behind law, contending many elements of the Bush-era education initiative have become barriers to learning and that too many schools, even those showing modest progress, risk being labeled as failing.
Congress is bitterly divided as economy sputters
WASHINGTON (AP) — With the economy sputtering, Congress’ unusual difficulty in delivering disaster aid or even keeping the government from shutting down is a discouraging sign for action as a bitterly divided Washington looks ahead to critical debate on President Barack Obama’s jobs plan and efforts by a “supercommittee” to slash deficits.
Scores got sick, 1 died trying to kill bedbugs
ATLANTA (AP) — Bedbugs don’t make you sick. But the poisons used to kill them can.
Dugard sues feds over failure to monitor abductor
MENLO PARK, Calif. (AP) — Jaycee Dugard sued the federal government Thursday for failing to monitor the convicted sex offender who kidnapped her and held her captive for 18 years.
Texas prisons end special last meals in executions
HOUSTON (AP) — Texas inmates who are set to be executed will no longer get their choice of last meals, a change prison officials made Thursday after a prominent state senator became miffed over an expansive request from a man condemned for a notorious dragging death.
Facebook looks to extend online reach, sharing
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Facebook is trying to evolve from an Internet hangout where people swing by to share tidbits, links and photos to a homestead decorated with the memories, dreams and diversions of its 800 million users.
Mixed impact on consumers from Federal Reserve’s ‘Twist’
Operation Twist doesn’t give consumers much to shout about.
Illinois launches Asian carp anti-hunger program
Minced Asian carp tacos? How about spaghetti with carp sauce? Illinois officials hope serving the invasive species on a plate is the creative solution to two big problems: controlling the plankton-gobbling carp from entering the Great Lakes and record numbers of people facing hunger. But the idea has major obstacles.
Oktoberfest to be followed by Blues, Brews and Brats
Dancing, drinks and of course, dashing dachshunds
Oktoberfest will be celebrated for the 11th year in Jefferson City's rekindled South Side neighborhood 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday.
Review: Skype phone and adapter for home calling
With two new products, Skype has made it easier to make Internet calls from home phones, for savings on international calls and potentially also domestic ones.
5K to join Holts Summit festival activities
Pre-register to participate by Friday
The sixth-annual Holts Summit Harvest Festival will kick off with a new event this year.
NYPD eyed US citizens in intel effort
The New York Police Department put American citizens under surveillance and scrutinized where they ate, prayed and worked, not because of charges of wrongdoing but because of their ethnicity, according to interviews and documents obtained by The Associated Press.
Doctor: Personalizing medicine cost effective
Customizing medicine based on a patient's genes will reduce health care costs because it will improve preventative care and reduce prescription trial and error, the president of Sanford Research USD said Wednesday.
Music Review: Strong set from reunited Jayhawks
The Jayhawks, “Mockingbird Time” (Rounder)
The past tugs at the Jayhawks on “Mockingbird Time,” perhaps because it’s the first full-band studio release since 1995 to feature both founding members, Gary Louris and Mark Olson.
Q&A about the Fed’s ’Operation Twist’
Q. What did the Federal Reserve say it would do? A. The Fed on Wednesday announced a new effort to drive down long-term interest rates.
Mamtek troubles making Missouri lawmakers wary
The financial problems of a company that promised to open an artificial sweetener factory in Moberly are making some lawmakers wary of approving new business incentives during a special session.
Your Opinion: Denial continues to delay mitigation
Dear Editor: The comment that the world will soon be “hot enough to melt lead” is obvious hyperbole, but the real effects of climate change are bad enough: melting ice caps and glaciers, rising and acidifying seas, more frequent and intense storms and drought, crop failures, increased disease, ecological disruption and species extinction.
Your Opinion: Inconvenient truths of modern life
Dear Editor: With the release of Jackie Kennedy’s reflections on the life and presidency of JFK, we seem to have once again opened up the giant can of worms surrounding the Kennedy assassination.
Your Opinion: Response to Garber on taxing, spending
Dear Editor: I’m writing to respond to Milton Garber’s letter published Sept. 10 that attempts to discredit Ms. Stark who stated “no one receives a paycheck from a poor man.”
Our Opinion: Crime rate drops; added improvements possible
A positive development often prompts a two-part question: What caused the improvement and is additional progress possible?
Target’s blunder with designer continues
Target drummed up so much hype around its exclusive, limited-time line by upscale Italian designer Missoni that its website crashed and was down most of the day on Sept. 13 when the collection was launched, angering customers. More than a week later, some shoppers who bought the Missoni for Target line are posting on social media websites Facebook and Twitter that they won’t shop at Target again because their online orders are being delayed — or worse, canceled — by the retailer.
Developer tax breaks hang up Mo. special session
Missouri’s special legislative session is on the verge of failure in part because of a long-simmering disagreement among House and Senate members about tax breaks for developers.
Movie Review: Butler’s performance highlights ‘Preacher’
Gerard Butler gives it his all as the title character in “Machine Gun Preacher,” a drama based on the true story of biker-turned-humanitarian Sam Childers.
3 indicted in sophisticated Wash. hacking scheme
Soon after his office was burglarized — twice — Jeff Eby walked in and found a payroll report sitting on his printer. He hadn’t printed it, and as his company’s chief financial officer, he’s the only person who would have.
DA calls police threat ’turning point’ in beating
Police officer Manuel Ramos didn’t talk to prosecutors who were considering charges against him in the death of a homeless, mentally ill man who died after a violent fight with police — but in the end, according to a district attorney, his own voice may have done him in.
McCaskill seeks to streamline business contracts
Sen. Claire McCaskill plans to introduce legislation Thursday that would simplify the way small businesses get federal contracts while also ensuring the recipients truly are small businesses.
Survey details slower health insurance cost hikes
Many workers will see their health insurance costs rise less next year than in more than a decade, partly because consumers are dialing back their health care use, a benefits consultant has found.
Okla. warden’s wife faces prison after conviction
As the wife of a warden, Bobbi Parker knew all about the pace of life inside the Oklahoma state reformatory where she lived in a house with her husband and daughters before disappearing 17 years ago with a convicted killer.
One illnesses in Missouri linked to tainted cantaloupe
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it has confirmed one Missouri case of someone contracting listeria from Colorado-grown cantaloupes.
Perry rivals work to undercut his character
United on the economic issues that most worry voters, the Republican presidential candidates have turned to subjects like vaccines, immigration and the future of Social Security. And while there are some policy differences, Mitt Romney, Michele Bachmann and others are raising those topics partly to make character arguments against GOP front-runner Rick Perry.
Prosecutors continue to review two fatality cases
The cases of a fatal car accident and a fatal shooting, both in Cole County, are still under review by prosecutors.
Forecasts point to modest holiday growth
Retailers just got an early Christmas gift: Americans are expected to spend more than they did last year during the holidays.
Columbia police officer fired for excessive force
A mid-Missouri police officer has been fired for what his chief says was excessive force against a man in a holding cell.
CAMPO to fund Stadium Boulevard roundabouts
Jefferson City has been selected to receive $185,000 to help fund street improvements, including two more roundabouts on Stadium Boulevard.
Blair Oaks’ potent offense set to face stingy defense of California
What happens when the irresistible force meets the immovable object?
Helias preparing for Hickman’s best game
It definitely was an attention-getter last Friday night — Hannibal 10, Hickman 0.
Jays hope to use lessons learned against Park Hill
It’s not usually a good thing for a team to be exposed on defense.
Church work hits heights at St. Peter
Expect to see work being done on St. Peter Catholic Church until the end of October.
Facebook users: Get ready for more changes
Facebook is at it again. The social network is tweaking the home pages of its 750 million users, much to the chagrin of some very vocal folks. The world’s largest online social network is expected to announce even more changes on Thursday.
Republicans stepping up criticism ahead of debate
The Republicans seeking the presidency have spent months pitching glossy versions of themselves to voters, but they now find their rivals highlighting the unspoken caveats in their records.
Old Town examines plan for South Side
The future of the South Side’s land use was discussed at the Old Town Revitalization Company’s regular meeting Wednesday.
No decision reached in Callaway on child care
After a Wednesday public hearing on county child-care policies, the Callaway County Commission took no action on developing a child-care policy.
Ga. executes Davis; supporters claim injustice
Strapped to a gurney in Georgia’s death chamber, Troy Davis lifted his head and declared one last time that he did not kill police officer Mark MacPhail. Just a few feet away behind a glass window, MacPhail’s son and brother watched in silence.
Consensus seems unlikely in special session
Missouri’s special legislative session seemed increasingly likely to collapse in failure Wednesday night as Republican House and Senate leaders remained unable to reconcile their differences on a business-incentive bill they had praised just weeks ago as a much-needed jolt to job creation.
Silver Haired Legislature sets priorities
After their annual three-day mock legislative session at the Capitol, the Silver Haired Legislature knows what it wants Missouri’s “official” lawmakers to do next year.
State Audit: Patrol merger proves costly
Touted as a way to save money in the long-run, the merger of the state Water Patrol into the Missouri State Highway Patrol appears to have increased costs for the state in the months since the agencies combined, according to a state audit released Wednesday.
Key Tigers back at full strength in time for Sooners
A glance at the injury report for the last five weeks would make any Missouri fan cringe.
The end of the world: R.E.M. calling it quits
R.I.P. to R.E.M. The alternative rock group that shook up the music world with its experimental, edgy sound and then earned multiplatinum success and a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced on its website Wednesday that it has “decided to call it a day as a band.”
P&G rushing $3M water purifier aid to East Africa
The Procter & Gamble Co. says it is rushing tens of millions of water-purifying packets to famine-ravaged East Africa.
Ex-Mo. House member fined for campaign violations
A former Missouri House member recently released from prison after pleading guilty to a bribery charge has been fined more than $500,000 for campaign finance violations.
House GOP regroups after loss on spending bill
House GOP leaders are regrouping after a surprise loss on a measure to provide $3.7 billion for disaster relief and prevent a government shutdown at the end of next week.
Congress passes bill naming couthouse after Bond
Former Sen. Kit Bond of Missouri could soon have his name emblazoned on a new federal courthouse in Jefferson City.
‘Charlie’s Angels’ finds new home
Miami is the new city of angels — at least the city of “Charlie’s Angels.”
Judge questions images for cigarette packages
A federal judge peppered a government lawyer with questions Wednesday expressing doubts about whether the Food and Drug Administration can force tobacco companies to post graphic images on their cigarette packages showing the health effects of smoking.
Helias, J.C. compete in girls golf tourney
The Helias Lady Crusaders finished third while the Jefferson City Lady Jays were fourth Wednesday at the William Woods Invitational at Tanglewood Golf Club.
Missouri solicited 13 communities for sweetener plant
Missouri officials marketed to several communities a project to manufacture an artificial sweetener that landed last year in Moberly and now faces financial difficulties.
Death toll in cantaloupe outbreak rises to 8
The death toll has risen to eight in an outbreak of listeria traced to Colorado-grown cantaloupes, officials said Wednesday.
Republic restores 2 books to library, with rules
Two months after removing two books from its curriculum and school library, a southwest Missouri school board has voted to allow them back into the library — but with strong restrictions on who will be allowed to check them out.
Red zone work a point of emphasis for Rams’ offense
ST. LOUIS — Sam Bradford had a very good day in Week 2, except for the scoreboard.
Losing possession one of many problems for Chiefs
Jon McGraw cradled the pass from Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford in his arms, turned up field and set his sights on a game-changing interception return that might serve to lift the Kansas City Chiefs out of their early season funk.
Big 12, Big East start picking up pieces
Turned away by the Pac-12, the Big 12’s most powerful members are trying to find ways to live together again after weeks of hurtling toward a break up.
Missouri’s Madison producing, this time as starter
COLUMBIA — When Brad Madison signed his letter of intent, Missouri knew it nabbed a talented offensive lineman. But one of the Big 12’s best defensive ends?
Denzel, Ron Howard launch Boys & Girls Club’s PSA
Denzel Washington still applies the same principles in his acting career that he learned when he was a third grader in the Boys & Girls Club of America.
Mulling Meg Whitman: HP considers CEO shakeup
As trial balloons go, Hewlett-Packard’s not-so-secret handwringing —over whether to dump CEO Leo Apotheker and replace him with former eBay CEO Meg Whitman— was a success. Investors like the idea. News that the company’s board is mulling a leadership change pushed the stock up more than 7 percent on Wednesday.
Bennett apologizes for suggesting US provoked 9/11
Tony Bennett apologized Wednesday for suggesting the United States provoked the 9/11 attacks, saying he was only expressing his feelings as a pacifist when he made the comments during an interview on Howard Stern’s radio show.
Johnson & Johnson resumes shipping some Tylenol
Johnson & Johnson has resumed shipping Tylenol Cold & Flu Severe caplets, one of the many products it had recalled due to a variety of manufacturing deficiencies over the past two years.
Ex-Missouri running back convicted of sex assault
Former Missouri running back and team leader Derrick Washington was convicted Wednesday of sexually assaulting a former tutor who said he attacked her in her sleep.
GOP’s top investigator targeted by critics
Rep. Darrell Issa is finding himself in the spotlight as a target as well as the Republicans’ chief inquisitor in investigations of the Obama administration, which are producing potential GOP campaign issues for 2012.
2 NY insider trading cases pack stern punishment
A stock trader dubbed the Octopussy because he reached for so much inside information was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in prison and a California finance researcher convicted in a separate but related insider trading case received a four-year prison term as two judges tried to send a stern warning to Wall Street.
’New Girl’ soars, ’Glee’ tanks in ratings for Fox
Fox had a classic good news-bad news scenario in Tuesday night’s television ratings.
Foster’s boss says takeover could expand market
London-based SABMiller’s $10.1 billion takeover of brewer Foster’s Group creates an opportunity for Australian beers to gain greater global acceptance, Foster’s chief executive John Pollaers said Thursday.
Disney hopes game character makes it to big screen
The Walt Disney Co. has used mobile games to promote its movies, but now it’s trying something new: launching a cuddly character in a game in the hope he makes it to the big screen someday.
AMPAS puts new limits on pre-Oscar campaigning
Oscar is clamping down on awards campaigning.
Washington boy pulled from ocean finally home
A 12-year-old Washington state boy pulled from the Pacific Ocean six weeks ago after being underwater for at least 15 minutes gingerly walked out of a hospital Tuesday as he continues his remarkable recovery.
UAW shifts talks from Chrysler to Ford
The United Auto Workers union shifted the focus of its contract talks to Ford Wednesday night after failing to reach a deal with Chrysler.
Afghan assasination dashes peace hopes
The assassination of a former Afghan president reflects the dangers of negotiations with the Taliban: Any effort toward a peace deal can bring deadly action to stop it from factions within the multi-headed insurgency.
United Technologies to buy Goodrich in $18.5B deal
Industrial conglomerate United Technologies Corp. is buying aerospace manufacturer Goodrich Corp. in a deal valued at $18.4 billion, including the assumption of $1.9 billion in debt.
Oil falls below $85 as Fed warns of economic risks
Oil prices fell below $85 a barrel Thursday in Asia, extending losses from the previous session after the U.S. central bank warned of major risks to economic growth.
Qantas cancels Australian flights due to strike
Qantas Airways says a planned strike by its engineers is forcing it to cancel or delay several domestic flights.
Nissan, Mitsubishi strengthen cooperation
Japanese automakers Nissan and Mitsubishi are strengthening their cooperation by expanding the number of models they make for each other in Japan.
Swedish daycare centers use GPS to track children
Daycare centers in Sweden have started using GPS systems and other electronic tracking devices to keep tabs on children during excursions — a practice that has raised ethical and practical questions.
Cards within 1.5 games of wild card after win over Mets
ST. LOUIS — David Freese drove in five runs with a go-ahead three-run homer and a triple, and the surging St. Louis Cardinals beat the New York Mets Wednesday night.
Tigers score three in eighth to beat Royals
KANSAS CITY — Ramon Santiago drove in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning, Don Kelly added a two-run homer and the Detroit Tigers beat the Kansas City Royals 6-3 on Wednesday night.
Poll: $1 million a US long shot
Who believes they’ll be a millionaire?
Fed to shift $400 billion in holdings to boost economy
The Federal Reserve says it will sell $400 billion of its shorter-term securities to buy longer-term holdings, its latest effort to boost a weak economy.
Lawyer injured by Michigan car bomb
A car bomb caused a powerful explosion on a street in southeastern Michigan, seriously injuring a lawyer and his two sons, who are “very fortunate” to have survived an attack that turned their vehicle into a blackened hunk of metal, officials said Wednesday.
Wednesday's National League Capsules
Miguel Montero had a two-run homer among his three hits and the Arizona Diamondbacks jumped on the Pittsburgh Pirates early in an 8-5 win on Wednesday that cut their magic number for clinching the NL West to two.
Wednesday's American League Capsules
AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP: Jorge Posada came off the bench and helped the Yankees to yet another first-place finish with a go-ahead single in the eighth inning, and New York swept the Tampa Bay Rays by identical 4-2 scores in a day-night doubleheader Wednesday to win the AL East.
Wednesday's MLS Capsules
Fabian Espindola scored two first-half goals and Alvaro Saborio also tallied and Real Salt Lake topped the New York Red Bulls 3-1 on Wednesday night.
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